Immunogenetics of the A-E alloantigen complex

Poult Sci. 1997 Dec;76(12):1688-97. doi: 10.1093/ps/76.12.1688.

Abstract

The close linkage (0.5%) between the A and E erythrocyte alloantigen loci present a special challenge in the production of locus-specific typing antisera. The objective of the investigation was to determine immunogenetically the A-E haplotypes (genetically linked combinations of A and E antigens) existing in the locally maintained individuals of the New Hampshire (NH) and White Plymouth Rock (WR) breeds. The A and E alloantigens in these populations were identified using reference antisera previously produced in White Leghorns. A total of four A-E haplotypes were identified within each of the two breeds; A2E1, A6E2, A6E4, and A8E2 in WR and A2E1, A3E7, A7E4, and A8E2 in NH. Individuals of these two brown-egg breeds were backcrossed over several generations to a line of Ancona chickens homozygous at the A and E loci. Genetic segregation occurring over four generations resulted in nonrecombinant and recombinant progeny that were immunized reciprocally with the blood of siblings to raise antibodies reactive with the individual A and E antigens of the NH and WR stocks. The antisera resulting from the within-family alloimmunizations confirmed the haplotypes deduced in the WR and NH lines from the initial tests with the A and E reference antisera.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / genetics*
  • Blood Group Antigens / genetics*
  • Blood Group Antigens / immunology*
  • Breeding
  • Chickens / blood
  • Chickens / genetics*
  • Chickens / immunology*
  • Erythrocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Hemagglutination Tests / methods
  • Hemagglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Homozygote
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Isoantigens / blood
  • Isoantigens / genetics*
  • Male

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Immune Sera
  • Isoantigens