Comparative genomic aspects of rat, mouse and human MHC class I gene regions

Abstract

In this review a particular aspect of the genomic structure of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), the organization of MHC class I regions, will be discussed for the rat in comparison to mouse and human.

Cross-Species Dependence of Ly49 Recognition on the Supertype Defining B-Pocket of a Class I MHC Molecule

“…The equal distribution of supertypes across species (20,21) and even human ethnicities, although allele representation within those supertypes varies (48), implies that a certain complement of supertypes is required within a population to provide immune fitness toward a battery of pathogens (49). Because there are no MHC I orthologs between rat and mouse or between rodents and humans (50), and because examination of the B-pocket structure of murine vs primate supertypes shows a large difference in the pocket structures, it appears that convergent evolution has occurred to produce similar supertypes in both mammalian orders. Supertypes likely are important for T cell recognition.…”

Swine Hemi-Facial Composite Tissue Allotransplantation: A Model to Study Immune Rejection

“…However, these models almost all involved small animals not applicable to humans. Clinical evidence indicates that small animal (rodent) model immunosuppression protocols are not consistently applicable because rodents tend to be more tolerant than humans to allograft transplantation [9]. To assess new immunosuppressive protocols and the possibility of tolerance induction, further large animal model studies are needed prior to initiation of human clinical trials.…”

“…Investigations involving small animal models have comprehensively evaluated CTA rejection [7,8]. Although rat models have shown predictable patterns of rejection, there exist fundamental differences between the human and rat immune systems [9,10]. Therefore, rodent models may not be applicable in humans.…”

Pas de deux: Natural Killer Receptors and MHC Class I Ligands in Primates

“…The clustering of class I and class II genes has been used to divide the MHC into regions [3]. In the human MHC, which maps to chromosome 6p21.3 [4] and is also designated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, the class I and class II regions are localized at the telomeric and centromeric end of the MHC, respectively [5,6]. The MHC turned out not only to contain the most polymorphic genes, but also to be the gene-densest region of the human genome, with more than 220 genes identified in 3.6 Mb [7].…”