Alloantigen System L Affects Antibody Responses

Abstract

Alloantigen system L is a polymorphic protein expressed on the surface of chicken erythrocytes and possibly certain leukocyte subpopulations. Previous studies demonstrated that the L system affects Rous sarcoma outcome and phagocytic function. The present experiments examined the L system influence on antibody responses to two antigens: SRBC (T-dependent) and Brucella abortus (BA, partially T-independent) in three B complex genotypes. The parental stock were 50% Modified Wisconsin Line 3 x White Leghorn Line NIU 4 and 50% Inbred Line 6-15.5. Pedigree matings of 4 B2B5L1L2 sires to 5 B2B5L1L2 dams per sire produced three hatches (n = 183) for the antibody response to SRBC and two hatches (n = 198) to study antibody response to BA. At 4 and 11 weeks of age the experimental birds were injected intravenously with 1 mL of 2.5% SRBC or 0.1 mL of 10% BA. Total and mercaptoethanol (ME)-resistant primary and secondary titers were analyzed by least squares ANOVA. Alloantigen L had a significant effect on total primary antibody titer to SRBC in a B5B5 background (p < 0.004) and on total (p < 0.011) and ME-resistant (p < 0.017) secondary titer to SRBC in the B2B5 genotype. Total (p < 0.004) and ME-resistant (p < 0.005) secondary titers to BA in B2B5 chickens were significantly affected by alloantigen L. The data indicate that the alloantigen L locus or genes in the immediate chromosomal vicinity affect antibody responses to SRBC and BA.

Publication Date

2003

Journal Title

International Journal of Poultry Science

Publisher

Asian Network for Scientific Information

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3923/ijps.2003.23.27

Scientific Contribution Number

2143

Document Type

Article

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