Equine immunoglobulins and organization of immunoglobulin genes

Dev Comp Immunol. 2015 Dec;53(2):303-19. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.07.017. Epub 2015 Jul 26.

Abstract

Our understanding of how equine immunoglobulin genes are organized has increased significantly in recent years. For equine heavy chains, 52 IGHV, 40 IGHD, 8 IGHJ and 11 IGHC are present. Seven of these IGHCs are gamma chain genes. Sequence diversity is increasing between fetal, neonatal, foal and adult age. The kappa light chain contains 60 IGKV, 5 IGKJ and 1 IGKC, whereas there are 144 IGLV, 7 IGLJ, and 7 IGLC for the lambda light chain, which is expressed predominantly in horses. Significant transcriptional differences for IGLV and IGLC are identified in different breeds. Allotypic and allelic variants are observed for IGLC1, IGLC5, and IGLC6/7, and two IGLV pseudogenes are also transcribed. During age development, a decrease in IGLVs is noted, although nucleotide diversity and significant differences in gene usage increased. The following paper suggests a standardization of the existing nomenclature of immunoglobulin genes.

Keywords: Allotype; Diversity; Equine developmental stages; Horse; Immunoglobulin genes; Immunoglobulin heavy and light chains.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Horses*
  • Immune System / embryology
  • Immune System / physiology*
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunoglobulin Allotypes / genetics
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Allotypes
  • Immunoglobulins