Protective effect of the Nramp1 BB genotype against Brucella abortus in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Infect Immun. 2007 Feb;75(2):988-96. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00948-06. Epub 2006 Dec 4.

Abstract

We tested 413 water buffalo cows (142 cases and 271 controls) for the presence of anti-Brucella abortus antibodies (by the skin test, the agglutination test, and the complement fixation test) and the Nramp1 genotype (by capillary electrophoresis). Four alleles (Nramp1A, -B, -C, and -D) were detected in the 3' untranslated region of the Nramp1 gene. The BB genotype was represented among only controls, providing evidence that this genotype confers resistance to Brucella abortus. The monocytes from the BB (resistant) subjects displayed a higher basal level of Nramp1 mRNA and a lower number of viable intracellular bacteria than did the monocytes from AA (susceptible) subjects. The higher basal level of the antibacterial protein Nramp1 most probably provides the BB animals with the possibility of controlling bacteria immediately after their entry inside the cell.

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Agglutination Tests
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Brucella abortus* / growth & development
  • Brucella abortus* / immunology
  • Brucellosis / genetics
  • Brucellosis / immunology
  • Brucellosis / microbiology
  • Brucellosis / veterinary*
  • Buffaloes / genetics*
  • Buffaloes / immunology
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Complement Fixation Tests
  • Cytoplasm / microbiology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Homozygote
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monocytes / chemistry
  • Monocytes / microbiology
  • Multifactorial Inheritance
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ095780
  • GENBANK/DQ095781
  • GENBANK/DQ376109
  • GENBANK/DQ376110