Evaluation of equine xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU).

Allogeneic solid organ transplantation is currently the only treatment option for end stage organ disease. The shortage of available donor organs has driven efforts to utilize xenogeneic organs for transplantation. In vitro methods for evaluating immune-compatibility are a quick and low cost means of screening novel tissue products prior to more involved, expensive, and invasive live animal studies. Recently, a new analog of the DNA base thymidine, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), was developed. It may be used in a fast, efficient and specific means of evaluating cell proliferation via flow cytometry. This study was designed to test and optimize this platform for assessing equine xenogeneic one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) to porcine stimulator cells. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that an enriched T-lymphocyte (T-cell) population would generate a stronger proliferative response to stimulation, and higher levels of cytokine production when compared to unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs and T-cells were isolated from 3 horses and 4 pigs. Equine xenogeneic MLRs were set up using porcine allogeneic MLRs as a reference for clinically acceptable levels of cell proliferation. Equine T-cells showed significantly greater EdU incorporation in one-way xenogeneic MLRs than equine PBMCs. However, there was no significant difference in cell proliferation between porcine T-cell and PBMC as responders in allogenic one-way MLRs. Given the results of this study, we consider that enriched equine T-cells should be used in preference to unfractionated PBMCs when attempting to evaluate the equine xenogeneic response using the EdU assay as an indicator of suitability for transplant in vivo.

Development and in vitro characterization of canine CD40-Ig.

We recently reported that blockade of the CD40-CD154 ligand interaction with the cross-reacting mouse anti-human CD154 antibody, 5c8, together with donor-specific transfusion led to enhanced but not completely successful engraftment in a canine model of DLA-identical marrow transplantation after 100cGy total body irradiation (TBI). In order to improve the transplantation outcomes, we sought to develop a canine-specific reagent. To that end, we fused the extracellular domain of the canine CD40 with a mouse IgG2a Fc tail and tested the immunosuppressive effectiveness of the fusion protein in mixed leukocyte reactions. The extracellular domain of canine CD40 was fused with the Fc portion of mouse IgG2a in a pcDNA3.1+vector. Dhfr-deficient CHO cells were co-transfected with the CD40-Ig vector and a dhfr-containing vector. Stable, high producing clones were selected under increasing methotrexate concentrations. The fusion protein was purified, tested in mixed leukocyte reactions, and its immunosuppressive effect compared to that of the anti-CD154 antibody 5c8. The transfected cell line produced a CD40-Ig dimer whose identity was confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The purified canine CD40-Ig blocked mixed leukocyte reactions at a concentration of 1nM, which was 10 times more effective than the anti-CD154 antibody. Canine CD40-Ig is more immunosuppressive than the anti-human CD154 antibody 5c8 in canine mixed leukocyte reactions and may be more effective in vivo in a model of marrow transplantation.

CCH cells are potent stimulators in the allogeneic mixed leucocyte reaction.

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) has been identified as a tumour of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) on the basis of immunophenotypic studies. Neoplastic Langerhans cells (CCH-LCs) were isolated from lesions of canine cutaneous histiocytoma. The CCH-LC cells expressed CD1b, CD11/18, CD45, MHC-I, and MHC-II. The CCH-LC cells were potent stimulators of the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) in vitro when compared to PBMCs from the tumour-bearing animals. This provides evidence that the neoplastic cells in CCH have functional as well as immunophenotypic characteristics of Langerhans cells.

CD86 molecule is a specific marker for canine monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

In this study, canine monocyte-derived dendritic cells (cMo-DC) were produced in presence of canine GM-CSF (cGM-CSF) and canine IL-4 (cIL-4), and they were characterized by their dendritic morphology, MLR functionality and phenotype. We noticed that cMo-DC were labelled with three anti-human CD86 (FUN-1, BU63 and IT2.2 clones), whereas resting and activated lymphocytes or monocytes were not stained. CD86 expression was induced by cIL-4 and was up-regulated during the differentiation of the cMo-DC, with a maximum at day 7. Furthermore, cMo-DC were very potent even in low numbers as stimulator cells in allogeneic MLR, and BU63 mAb was able to completely block the cMo-DC-induced proliferation in MLR. We also observed that cMo-DC highly expressed MHC Class II and CD32, but we failed to determine their maturation state since the lack of commercially available canine markers. Moreover, cMo-DC contained cytoplasmic periodic microstructures, potentially new ultrastructural markers of canine DC recently described. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that the CD86 costimulatory marker is now usable for a better characterization of in vitro canine DC.

Generation of canine dendritic cells from peripheral blood monocytes without using purified cytokines.

Dendritic cells (DCs), which differentiate in vitro from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMOs) or bone marrow precursors, are a promising candidate for immunotherapy against cancer. The dog, which suffers common types of cancers along with humans, make an ideal large animal model for cancer studies. Monocyte-derived DCs in the dog have not been well characterized, however, since the appropriate condition for in vitro differentiation has not been established. To tackle this problem, we have developed a conditioned media by culturing T cells with immobilized anti-canine CD3 antibody, and sought to induce differentiation of DCs from PBMOs. When purified CD14+ PBMOs were cultured in the presence of 25% T cell conditioned medium (TCCM), the PBMOs increased size and had extended dendritic processes by day 12 of the culture. The cultured PBMOs were found to increase the expression of MHC class II and CD1a molecules, and significantly increased stimulatory activity for allogeneic T cells in the mixed leukocyte reaction. Moreover, the cells significantly increased their expression of IL-18 and IFN-gamma when stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)). The cells have a reduced phagocytic activity, which is a common defect in mature DCs. It follows from these results that TCCM does induce the differentiation of DCs from PBMOs.

Bone marrow-derived dendritic cell vaccination of dogs with naturally occurring melanoma by using human gp100 antigen.

Canine malignant melanoma (CMM) is a common and aggressive form of cancer in dogs. Established therapeutic approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT) have not proven curative. As a coadjuvant of RT and to enhance the antimelanoma immune response, we characterized dendritic cells (DCs) from the bone marrow (BM) of dogs with CMM, ex vivo, for use in therapeutic vaccines. BM mononuclear cells from 3 dogs with melanoma and from 1 healthy dog were cultured for 12 days in media supplemented with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, stem cell factor, tumor necrosis factor, and Flt-3 ligand. On day 11, DCs were transduced with an adenovirus vector encoding a xenoantigen, human melanoma antigen gp100. Each dog received 3 subcutaneous vaccinations over a 4-month period. Phenotypic analysis of the expanded DC population demonstrated expression of CD11c/CD18 and major histocompatibility complex class II surface markers, and ultrastructural features characteristic of DCs were observed on electron microscopy. On functional analysis, these DCs were able to stimulate allo-reactivity and capture and express gp100. One dog demonstrated antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes. This dog has displayed no clinical signs, either locally or systemically, of recurrent melanoma 48 months after initial DC injection. However, another dog, which was CTL negative, relapsed 22 months after vaccination. Ex vivo DC expansion is feasible for immunotherapy of spontaneous cancers in outbred dogs.

Effects of the ingestion of whole colostrum or cell-free colostrum on the capacity of leukocytes in newborn calves to stimulate or respond in one-way mixed leukocyte cultures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of colostral cells on the ability of neonatal leukocytes to respond in a mixed leukocyte response (MLR) as a means of evaluating specific immune responsiveness. ANIMALS: 10 Holstein calves, their respective dams, and 10 unrelated adult Holstein cows. PROCEDURE: Soon after birth, their calves were fed maternal whole colostrum or colostrum after cells were removed by centrifugation. Responses for leukocytes obtained from calves during the first 5 weeks after birth, their dams, and unrelated cows were measured by use of 1-way MLR as an indicator of immune development. An internal control treatment, proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB), was also measured. RESULTS: Transfer of colostral leukocytes had a significant effect on the MLR and SEB-induced response in calves. Calves receiving whole colostrum had enhanced responses to maternal and unrelated leukocytes 24 hours after ingestion of colostrum. These responses decreased quickly, indicating direct modulation of the neonatal immune response. Calves receiving whole colostrum effectively stimulated the MLR by 24 hours after ingestion of colostrum. In contrast, calves receiving acellular colostrum did not effectively stimulate the MLR until 2 to 3 weeks after birth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ingestion of maternal colostral leukocytes immediately after birth stimulates development of the neonatal immune system. These maternal leukocytes enhance development of antigen-presenting capacity as indicated by their ability to stimulate the MLR and SEB response. The influence of ingested maternal cells on neonatal immunity was also indicated by a reduction in reactivity of neonatal cells to maternal alloantigens.

Stages of Marek's disease virus latency defined by variable sensitivity to interferon modulation of viral antigen expression.

Cytokines in conditioned medium can suppress expression of viral internal antigens (VIA) in lymphocytes latently infected with Marek's disease virus. In the present study, conditioned media produced by spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin A or by mixed-lymphocyte reaction had significantly greater (P < 0.05) VIA-suppressive activity with lymphocytes harvested from birds at 14 days post infection than with those collected at 7 days. This finding defines two stages during the latent period in which sensitivity of lymphocytes to cytokine modulation of viral expression differs. Suppression involved proteins representing immediate-early, early and late viral antigens. Physico-chemical characterization of the suppressive factor in conditioned medium was consistent with that expected of interferon. Indeed, natural interferon prepared from avian reovirus-exposed chicken embryo cells, and recombinant chicken interferon, both mimicked the activity of conditioned medium and were more suppressive with lymphocytes from the later stage of latency.

Antigenicity of cortical bone allografts in dogs and effect of ethylene oxide-sterilization.

The aims of the present study were to determine the antigenicity of cortical bone allografts and the effect of ethylene oxide-sterilization (EO-sterilization). Cortical bone allografts from one donor dog were implanted in a muscle pouch in four groups of four dogs each. The grafts were either fresh, EO-sterilized, demineralized or demineralized and EO-sterilized. The immune response against the grafts was determined by measuring the antibody response against surface antigens of donor cells and by the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Dogs receiving EO-sterilized grafts or bone matrix did not demonstrate an immune response. Only two of the four dogs with fresh cortical bone grafts showed a very weak immune response. This suggests a priming of the host by the fresh bone grafts. However, implanting skin grafts from the donor dog subdermally, in one dog of each of the groups, four months after implanting the bone grafts did not induce a secondary immune response. Macroscopic and histologic examination of the bone grafts five months after their implantation consistently revealed graft resorption (activity of osteoclasts) and vascularization of the fresh bone grafts, but not of EO-sterilized fresh grafts. For most EO-sterilized grafts, a strong inflammatory reaction was present in the tissues surrounding the graft and this was not apparent around the non-sterilized grafts. The absence of resorption and the presence of the inflammation seemed to be unwanted effects of the EO-sterilization. The EO-sterilisation did not affect osteoinduction since osteocytes were observed in the EO-sterilized demineralized grafts. Results indicate that cortical bone allografts used in the present study are very weak antigens and that the EO-sterilization procedure used has no effect on osteoinduction, but decreases bone resorption.

Evaluation of elutriation and magnetic microbead purification of canine monocytes.

An elutriation technique was developed to obtain large quantities of pure canine monocytes. Firstly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from whole blood by Ficoll gradient. Then, the PBMC were separated by an elutriation procedure. We demonstrated that these techniques allow the isolation of canine peripheral blood monocytes with a purity of 64% +/- 7.9 when labelled with anti-CD14 antibody. This purity increased to 83% +/- 2.2 after separation by magnetic anti-CD14 microbeads. The cell viability was more than 95% and apoptotic cells were less than 10%. The monocytes purified by these methods were functionally active in a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). A lymphocyte fraction was obtained directly only by elutriation with an average of 79.9% +/- 10.7 of CD5+, 7.9% +/- 3.5 of CD21+ and 1.78% +/- 2.53 of CD14+. Our results indicate that this elutriation procedure is a safe method to purify monocytes as well as lymphocytes, useful in MLR.

Effects of long-term infection with bovine immunodeficiency virus and/or bovine leukemia virus on antibody and lymphocyte proliferative responses in cattle.

Immune responses were examined in cattle between 3-5 years after experimental inoculation with bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIG) and/or bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Lymphocyte proliferative responses to Con A or to allogeneic lymphocytes with foreign major histocompatibility complex molecules (allo MHC) were determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation assays. Antigen-specific antibody and lymphocyte proliferative responses were measured following vaccination with tetanus toxoid (TT) and bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1). Lymphocytes from BIV-infected cattle had significantly (p<0.05) reduced proliferative responses to Con A, but responses to allo-MHC and TT did not differ from those of uninfected controls. BIV infection also had little effect on TT-specific antibody responses in vivo. In contrast, BLV-infected cattle had significantly increased secondary antibody responses to vaccination with TT, as well as enhancement of antibody responses to BHV-1. Co-infection with BIV did not alter the BLV effect, suggesting a lack of significant interaction between the two viruses in vivo. Numbers of circulating mononuclear cells were also higher in BLV-infected cattle, which was attributable to increases in both T and B cell numbers. Unstimulated lymphocytes from BLV-infected cattle had significantly increased spontaneous uptake of 3H-thymidine in vitro. When differences in counts per minute were analyzed, lymphocytes from BLV-infected cattle had slightly increased proliferative responses to Con A, but no consistent alternations in responsiveness to allo-MHC, TT, or BHV-1. The observed increase in antibody responses to non-BLV antigens suggests that at least in clinically asymptomatic cattle, BLV infection may cause a non-specific B cell activation.

Identification and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody (M10) directed against canine (dog) CD8+ lymphocytes.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with non-adherent dog lymphocytes. M10 was specific for a subset of dog lymphocytes. M10 belonged to the IgG1 subclass and reacted with 26% of dog peripheral blood lymphocytes, 24% of spleen lymphocytes, 81% of thymus cells, 1.2% of bone marrow cells (5.8% of bone marrow lymphocytes) and 23% of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. Immunohistology of snap-frozen thymus and spleen showed that the spleen B-cell area stained negative, whereas the spleen T-cell area and the thymus medulla exhibited positive reaction in 20-30%. The thymus cortex was strongly positive. M10 diminished cell lysis by 58% in cell mediated lysis assays (CML). Immunoblot assays revealed that M10 recognized an antigen with a molecular weight of 76 kD under non-reducing and 33 kD under reducing conditions. Finally, M10 bound to a canine CD8 alpha transfected rat T-cell line (NB2). These findings characterize M10 as an antibody directed against the dog CD8 antigen.

Cloning and expression of the ovine CD40 molecule and the inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte reaction by the ovine CD40(e)-EGFP fusion protein.

The CD40 molecule is a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-like supergene family and plays a major role as a co-stimulatory molecule in the activation of T cells in response to antigens presented by dendritic cells. In this study, reverse transcription-PCR cloning was used to derive the sequence encoding ovine CD40. The ovine CD40 sequence demonstrated a similarity of 97, 76 and 64% with the bovine, human and murine sequences, respectively, at the nucleic acid level. The cysteine residues characteristic of the TNFR family and N-linked glycosylation sites are conserved. Furthermore, RNA analysis confirmed expression of CD40 mRNA in both ovine dendritic cells from lymphatic drainage and dermal fibroblasts in culture. In addition, cDNA encompassing the extracellular region of ovine CD40 (CD40(e)) was fused 'in-frame' with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to generate a fusion protein upon the transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Immunoprecipitation with an anti-GFP monoclonal antibody of a 78 kD a protein from conditioned medium of CHO transfectants confirmed that the CD40(e)-EGFP was secreted in the supernatant. All experiments were controlled with a pEGFP-N1 vector-blank construct. Moreover, the biological activity of ovine CD40(e)-EGFP was demonstrated by its ability to inhibit a two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. Thus these observations confirm that ovine CD40 blockade inhibits co-stimulation mediated by CD40-CD40L (CD154) interactions as has been reported in murine and human studies.

Effect of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes on the expression of MHC molecules in canine transmissible venereal tumor cells.

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) can be allo-transplanted across major histocompatibility complex barriers. The expression of MHC molecules is usually low in the progression (P) stage and then greatly increases during tumor regression (R). We investigated the effects of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) on the expression of MHC molecules of CTVT cells. Isolated, viable CTVT cells were inoculated at each of 12 sites (1 x 10(8) CTVT cells per site) on the back of six, mixed-breed dogs. Tumor masses were collected every 2-3 weeks and prepared for histopathologic, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and immunoblotting studies. The level of MHC expression on tumor cells from different stages of growth was measured. Initially, expression of MHC I and II molecules in P phase CTVT was low. Twelve weeks post-inoculation (PI), expression increased dramatically and it continued to increase during R phase. Tumor growth slowed after 12 weeks PI and tumors entered R phase around 17 weeks PI. We hypothesize that CTVT evades host immunosurveillance and grows progressively for 12 weeks, when it becomes vulnerable and subject to the host's anti-tumor immune responses. We further demonstrated that R phase, but not P phase, TIL were closely associated with the over-expression of MHC I and II molecules by CTVT cells. The number and proportion of TIL were higher in R phase tumors. Supernatants, from R phase co-cultures (CTVT+TIL) and TIL only, promoted MHC I and II expression on P phase CTVT cells. After culturing alone for 1 month, expression of MHC classes I and II molecules in R phase CTVT cells decreased to the level of P phase CTVT cells. However, the above-mentioned supernatants restored their expression of MHC I and II molecules. In contrast, supernatants from P phase TIL or CTVT cells increased expression slightly or had no effect. Therefore, TIL, not CTVT cells, produce the effective substance (s) to promote the expression of MHC molecules by the tumor cells. Heat treated supernatant was unable to promote the expression of MHC I and II molecules by CTVT cells. In conclusion, TIL isolated from R phase CTVT secreted a heat-sensitive, soluble substance(s) that triggered over-expression of MHC I and II after 12 weeks PI. This caused the tumor to enter R phase and helped stop CTVT growth. Our findings will facilitate the understanding and further investigation of the mechanisms that initiate host immune surveillance against tumors.

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) dosed with azathioprine display immune effects similar to those seen in mammals, including apoptosis.

Azathioprine, an anti-neoplastic drug and therapeutic immunosuppressant, was administered intraperitoneally at 10.0 and 50.0 mg/kg to 3-6-month-old tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Consistent alterations in immune cellular parameters of the blood, pronephros (hematopoietic kidney) and spleen were observed. Peripheral blood total cellularity decreased as the azathioprine dose increased, to approximately half that of the control. Differential analysis of white blood cells indicated a decline in lymphocyte number, in particular, with increased dosage of azathioprine. Pronephric total cellularity was depressed in fish receiving the 10.0 or 50.0 mg/kg dose. In contrast, both splenic weight and splenic total cellularity increased proportionately with the increase in the drug dosage. Histopathologic examination of the spleens showed normal patterns for both control and 10.0 mg/kg dose groups. At 50.0 mg/kg, spleens were characterized by marked expansion of the white pulp, although lymphocytes were rare. Melanomacrophage centers at the higher dose were also larger and more numerous than in the control group. Evaluation of splenic and pronephric leukocytes with apoptotic markers showed an increase in apoptotic cells in the pronephros with increasing drug dose. These changes in fish are consistent with those seen in humans and laboratory rodents dosed with azathioprine, suggesting that fish may be potentially useful as preliminary models for detecting immunosuppressive compounds.

Immune profile of infectious bursal disease. III. Effect of infectious bursal disease virus on the lymphocyte responses to phytomitogens and on mixed lymphocyte reaction of chickens.

A whole-blood-culture technique was used to sequentially evaluated peripheral blood lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) of normal chickens and chickens infected at 1 day or 3 weeks of age with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). This method had numerous advantages over the more conventional techniques. A comparative study was made on the percentage of inhibition of responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA and Con A of 1-day- and 3-week-old IBDV-infected chickens. In both groups, there was a minimum inhibition between 3 and 4 weeks postinfection (PI) and a maximum inhibition at 6 weeks PI. A one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was performed using mitomycin-C-treated cells as stimulator cells obtained from chickens of genetically different strains. Lymphocytes from the experimental birds (control, 1-day-infected, and 3-week-infected groups) were used as the responder cells. The results showed that MLR response of the IBDV-infected chickens was significantly reduced compared with those of the uninfected controls. The degree of lowered response was much more severe in chickens infected at 1 day of age than in those infected at 3 weeks of age.

Rapid changes occur in the percentage of circulating bovine WC1(+)gamma delta Th1 cells.

gamma delta T cells found in the peripheral blood of cattle include a major subpopulation distinguished by expression of WC1. These cells are distinct from the WC1(-)gamma delta T cell population based on T cell receptor gene usage. We documented that a group of 6-month-old calves allowed free-range grazing and access to their mothers had a significantly greater proportion of total gamma delta T cells in their blood, attributable to the WC1(+)gamma delta T cell subpopulation, compared to age and breed-matched calves held in conventional housing. When the animals with the greater proportion of gamma delta T cells were transferred to conventional housing there was a decrease in the WC1(+)population so that by 3 weeks after transfer there was no longer a significant difference between the two groups. To investigate the biological activities of WC1(+)gamma delta T cells, the cells were purified by flow cytometric sorting. In vitro, they responded to stimulation by irradiated monocytes in autologous mixed leukocyte reaction (AMLR) cultures but not to direct stimulation through the T cell receptor (T c R) by anti-delta monoclonal antibody. After stimulation in the AMLR, WC1(+)gamma delta T cells had a Th1 cytokine profile characterised by production of IFN -gamma and lack of IL -4. Thus we propose that higher levels of the WC1(+)gamma delta T cells may provide calves with a mechanism to produce Th1 cytokines and that the level of these cells may be modulated according to environment or stress since both groups of calves were apparently disease-free.

Immunosuppression in dogs by pretransfusions with ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated whole blood.

Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated whole dog blood prevented the initiation of proliferative responses in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). When dogs were given 4 weekly intravenous transfusions of UV-irradiated allogeneic donor whole blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of the recipients responded less significantly to donor PBL in MLR for over one week after the final transfusion. Red blood cell (RBC)-crossmatching of these dogs was negative. Dogs treated with UV-irradiated blood did not produce anti-donor PBL antibody, or IgG, IgM and C3 determined by the indirect Coombs test. These dogs also had negligible delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to donor PBL at the end of the treatment period, recognized as slightly suppression of skin graft rejection. In contrast, six dogs receiving injections of untreated allogeneic whole blood evidenced high proliferation in MLR, agglutination in RBC-crossmatching, acute rejection of skin grafts and three of them produced C3 in the Coombs test.

Microculture method for mixed lymphocyte cultures in the horse.

A miniaturized method for the mixed lymphocyte culture test in the horse is described. The test is performed in either round- or flat-bottom microtitration tissue culture plates. Concentrations of responsing and stimulating cells are varied, depening on the experiment. Significant discrimination between isogeneic and allogenic mixtures is possible after 120 hours' culture when cells are labeled ([3H]thymidine) for the last 16 to 18 hours of the test.

The turkey major histocompatibility complex: characterization by mixed lymphocyte, graft-versus-host splenomegaly, and skin graft reactions.

A turkey subline at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center was developed by DNA typing of the MHC using a chicken MHC Class II probe, and it segregated for specific MHC genotypes. Histocompatibility was examined between turkeys of known MHC genotype using skin graft procedures, mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), and graft-versus-host reactions (GVHR). Skin grafts were exchanged among 3-wk-old turkeys and it was found that when birds shared DNA patterns (genotypes), the skin grafts were usually accepted. In contrast, skin grafts were always rejected when birds did not share the identical DNA pattern. Similarly, MLR only occurred when the lymphocytes were derived from birds that did not share the same DNA pattern. Lastly, GVHR were examined in embryos injected with either sire or dam blood. The GVHR in embryos was dependent on the parental MHC genotype. Four MHC haplotypes were identified in the turkey subline. The turkey MHC has been designated MhcMega-B, and each of the haplotypes, Mega-B(1) through Mega-B(4).