Cellular immune response of a marsupial, Monodelphis domestica

Infante, Anthony J.; Samples, N.K.; Croix, Denise A.; Redding, Todd S.; VandeBerg, John L.; Stone, W. H.

doi:10.1016/0145-305x(91)90010-v

Cited by 25 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The lymphocyte proliferation test mitogen stimulation gives a reflection of the cell mediated immune response associated with the activation of T lymphocytes. The proliferation of lymphocytes at day 300 post‐partum was similar to that previously reported for healthy adult male and female possums of 144,321 and 230,588 DPM respectively (Infante et al, 1991; Stone et al, 1998; Baker et al, 1998). However, at the time of weaning at day 150–200 post‐partum, the proliferative response of lymphocytes was still considerably lower than that of the adult.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Ontogeny of the immune system of the brushtail possum,Trichosurus vulpecula

Baker

Gemmell

1999

Anat. Rec.

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The numbers and distribution of T and B cells in the thoracic thymus, spleen and intestinal tissue and the proliferation of T lymphocytes were examined during pouch life and in the adult to determine when the developing brushtail possum reaches immunological maturity. CD3-positive cells were observed in the thoracic thymus at day 2 post-partum indicating that the thymus produces T lymphocytes at or soon after birth. By day 25 the thymus was fully populated with CD3-positive T lymphocytes and they were observed in distinct regions of the cortex and medulla. By day 48 post-partum, B and T lymphocytes were identified in the follicles and parafollicular areas of the spleen. Although the numbers of T and B cells in the spleen increased significantly from day 25 to day 100 post-partum (P < 0.005), fewer cells were present at day 150 post-partum than in the adult (P < 0.05). Peyer's patches were not observed in the intestines up to day 73 post-partum. However, both T and B cells were observed in the intestinal lymph nodes. Although the T lymphocytes at weaning showed a proliferative response, the response was not as great as that observed in the adult possum. Thus, the immune system of the possum is not fully developed at weaning but continues its development after pouch life.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Ontogeny of the immune system of the brushtail possum,Trichosurus vulpecula

Baker

Gemmell

1999

Anat. Rec.

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“…In contrast to the great attention being paid to the MHC of eutherian mammals, birds and fish, the diverse group of marsupials has been poorly investigated so far. Earlier studies on marsupial cellular immunology reported dramatic differences in the immune response between marsupials and eutherians and predicted little or no polymorphism at the MHC class II genes [ 19 - 21 ]. Only recently has the complete MHC region been mapped for the first marsupial ( Monodelphis domestica ) [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection, diversity and evolutionary patterns of the MHC class II DAB in free-ranging Neotropical marsupials

et al. 2008

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Background: Research on the genetic architecture and diversity of the MHC has focused mainly on eutherian mammals, birds and fish. So far, studies on model marsupials used in laboratory investigations indicated very little or even no variation in MHC class II genes. However, natural levels of diversity and selection are unknown in marsupials as studies on wild populations are virtually absent. We used two endemic South American mouse opossums, Gracilinanus microtarsus and Marmosops incanus, to investigate characteristic features of MHC selection. This study is the first investigation of MHC selection in free-ranging Neotropical marsupials. In addition, the evolutionary history of MHC lineages within the group of marsupials was examined.

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“…Marsupials have a weak or even non-existent mixed lymphocyte response yet mount a normal graft rejection response [27]. Initially, it was thought that this weak MLR was the result of a low level of MHC Class II variability [28], an amino acid substitution in the MHC molecule [27] or even a difference in the ontogeny of marsupial and eutherian T cells [29]. The absence of immunomodulation by LST1 may also be a contributing a factor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution and comparative analysis of the MHC Class III inflammatory region

et al. 2006

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BackgroundThe Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is essential for immune function. Historically, it has been subdivided into three regions (Class I, II, and III), but a cluster of functionally related genes within the Class III region has also been referred to as the Class IV region or "inflammatory region". This group of genes is involved in the inflammatory response, and includes members of the tumour necrosis family. Here we report the sequencing, annotation and comparative analysis of a tammar wallaby BAC containing the inflammatory region. We also discuss the extent of sequence conservation across the entire region and identify elements conserved in evolution.ResultsFourteen Class III genes from the tammar wallaby inflammatory region were characterised and compared to their orthologues in other vertebrates. The organisation and sequence of genes in the inflammatory region of both the wallaby and South American opossum are highly conserved compared to known genes from eutherian ("placental") mammals. Some minor differences separate the two marsupial species. Eight genes within the inflammatory region have remained tightly clustered for at least 360 million years, predating the divergence of the amphibian lineage. Analysis of sequence conservation identified 354 elements that are conserved. These range in size from 7 to 431 bases and cover 15.6% of the inflammatory region, representing approximately a 4-fold increase compared to the average for vertebrate genomes. About 5.5% of this conserved sequence is marsupial-specific, including three cases of marsupial-specific repeats. Highly Conserved Elements were also characterised.ConclusionUsing comparative analysis, we show that a cluster of MHC genes involved in inflammation, including TNF, LTA (or its putative teleost homolog TNF-N), APOM, and BAT3 have remained together for over 450 million years, predating the divergence of mammals from fish. The observed enrichment in conserved sequences within the inflammatory region suggests conservation at the transcriptional regulatory level, in addition to the functional level.

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Cellular immune response of a marsupial, Monodelphis domestica

Cited by 25 publications

References 10 publications

Ontogeny of the immune system of the brushtail possum,Trichosurus vulpecula

Ontogeny of the immune system of the brushtail possum,Trichosurus vulpecula

Selection, diversity and evolutionary patterns of the MHC class II DAB in free-ranging Neotropical marsupials

Evolution and comparative analysis of the MHC Class III inflammatory region

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