NK gene complex and chromosome 19 loci enhance MHC resistance to murine cytomegalovirus infection

Immunogenetics. 2009 Dec;61(11-12):755-64. doi: 10.1007/s00251-009-0400-0. Epub 2010 Jan 5.

Abstract

An H-2(k) MHC locus is critical for murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) resistance in MA/My mice and virus control is abolished if H-2(k) is replaced with H-2(b) MHC genes from MCMV-susceptible C57L mice. Yet, H-2(k) resistance varies with genetic background; thus, modifiers of virus resistance must exist. To identify non-MHC resistance loci, spleen and liver MCMV levels and genome-wide genotypes were assessed in (C57L x MA/My) and (MA/My x C57L) F(2) offspring (representing 550 meioses). Significantly, a non-Mendelian frequency of MHC genotypes was observed for offspring of the latter cross. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) and their interaction potential in MCMV resistance were assessed in R/qtl; QTL on chromosomes 17, 6, and 19 affected MCMV levels in infected animals. A chromosome 6 QTL was linked with the NK gene complex and acted in an additive fashion with an H-2(k) MHC QTL to mitigate spleen MCMV levels. We provide biological confirmation that this chromosome 6 QTL provided MCMV control independent of H-2(k) via NK cells. Importantly, both chromosome 6 and 19 QTLs contribute to virus control independent of H-2(k). Altogether, MHC and non-MHC MCMV-resistance QTL contribute in early resistance to MCMV infection in this genetic system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Mammalian / genetics*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • H-2 Antigens / genetics
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / immunology*
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / virology
  • Lod Score
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muromegalovirus / immunology*
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / virology

Substances

  • H-2 Antigens
  • H-2K(K) antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens