Genetic resistance to the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats. I. Genetic analysis of an apparent mutant strain with phenotypic resistance to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Clinical resistance to the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was observed in a closed colony of Lewis (designated Le-R) rats. Disease susceptibility in randomly bred animals appeared to increase with increasing age. In the small group of young Le-R rats, which were susceptible, disease onset was delayed, severity of symptoms was reduced, and duration of clinical signs was abbreviated compared to conventional Lewis rats. The severity of histologic neural tissue lesions correlated with clinical observations. Breeding experiments indicated that most Le-R rats were resistant to disease induction regardless of whether their ancestors had been selected for susceptibility or resistance. The F3 generation of resistant lineage was uniformly resistant at all ages tested. Virtually all (Lewis X Le-R)F1 rats of either sex were resistant when challenged at 7-8 wk of age indicating that resistance was a dominant autosomal trait. Approximately half of (F1 X Lewis) backcross rats developed paralytic EAE whereas one-fourth were entirely resistant, suggesting that disease resistance may be mediated by one or two genes. Le-R rats shared at least some of the Lewis rat major histocompatibility antigens. Resistance apparently did not reflect a nonspecific impairment of cellular immune responsiveness. Le-R rats, which had been challenged with myelin basic protein, developed antigen-reactive cells specific for basic protein or its encephalitogenic fragment. Spleen cells obtained from basic protein-sensitized Le-R rats did not adoptively transfer disease into Lewis rats. In contrast, spleen cells obtained from basic protein-sensitized Lewis rats readily transferred disease into both Lewis and Le-R recipients. These data suggest that disease resistance may be a result of an immunologic deficit (or suppressor cell activity) expressed during the differentiation of antigen-reactive cells into disease-inducing effector cells.

In vitro of adenosine on lymphocytes and erythrocytes from horses with combined immunodeficiency.

The effect of adenosine on the mitogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and on the nucleotide pools of erythrocytes from normal horses, horses heterozygous for the combined immunodeficiency (CID) trait (carriers), and foals with CID was studied. When PBL from normal, carrier, and CID horses were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A, or pokeweed mitogen, [3H]thymidine uptake was inhibited by adenosine (0.1 microM) to 1.0 mM) in a dose-dependent manner. Adenosine (100 microM) mediated inhibition of [3H]thymidine uptake was prevented in both normal and carrier horse PBL by incubation with uridine. Uridine had no sparing effect on PBL from horses with CID. Differences were detected between human and horse PBL in response to adenosine and erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA), a competitive inhibitor of adenosine deaminase. In the first assay, mitogen-stimulated PBL from horses were more sensitive to adenosine. In the second assay, adenosine was added to PBL cultures at various times after PHA addition. Adenosine inhibited mitogenesis in horse PBL if added within the first 24 h. In human PBL cultures, adenosine inhibited mitogenesis only if added within the first 4 h. The third assay measured capacity of PHA-stimulated human and horse lymphocytes to escape inhibition by adenosine or EHNA. At the end of a 72-h culture period, horse PBL were still inhibited of mitogenesis in both human and horse PBL. With prolonged incubation (72 h), synergistic inhibition was detected only in horse PB. With high-pressure liquid chromatography, nucleotide levels in erythrocytes of normal, carrier, and CID horses were found to be similar. Incubation with adenosine produced a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in total adenine nucleotide pools in erythrocytes from all horses. However, these increases were accompanied by alterations in the relative amounts of the nucleotide components. This was seen as a significant decrease in the ATP:(AMP plus ADP plus ATP) ratio and energy charge in erythrocytes from normal horses. In contrast, the ATP:(AMP plus ADP plus ATP) ratio decreased only slightly in erythrocytes from CID horses, whereas no change in the energy charge was detected. The data from these studies indicate a difference in adenosine metabolism exists between human and horse lymphoyctes, and an abnormality may exist in purine metabolism or in an interconnecting pathway in horses with CID.

Genetic and biochemical analysis of erythrocyte-stage surface antigens belonging to a family of highly conserved proteins of Babesia equi and Theileria species.

Erythrocyte-stage Babesia equi expresses a 34-kDa immunodominant antigen recognized by antibody from persistently infected horses worldwide. This erythrocyte-stage surface protein, equi merozoite antigen-1 (EMA-1) is encoded by a single copy gene, and was previously shown to share 33% amino acid identity with similar sized proteins of Theileria sergenti and T. buffeli. A mean homology of 31% amino acid identity extends to similar sized proteins of T. parva, T. annulata and T. mutans. Genomic and cDNA copies of a second B. equi gene, ema2 were cloned. The single copy ema2 gene encodes a 30-kDa protein (EMA-2) that shares 52% amino acid identity with EMA-1. EMA-2 also shares a mean amino acid identity of 31% with proteins of similar molecular mass from Theileria species. EMA-1 and EMA-2 each contain a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. These unique erythrocyte-stage surface proteins of B. equi and Theileria species lack antigenic repeats, and excluding the signal peptide, contain one or no cysteines. Consistent with the hypothesis that this family of proteins interacts with the erythrocyte surface, the T. species proteins possess a basic isoelectric point. The B. equi proteins have acidic isoelectric points, but 24-mer peptides within them have strongly basic net charges.

Molecular characterization and immunogenicity of neutralization-sensitive Babesia bigemina merozoite surface proteins.

Monoclonal antibodies binding to the surface of live Mexico isolate Babesia bigemina merozoites have defined 4 parasite-encoded surface antigens (36, 45, 55, and 58 kDa) that are potential targets for immune-mediated neutralization of merozoites. In this study, we have characterized the post-translational modification, antigenic polymorphism, and immunogenicity of these 4 proteins. Monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity-purified 36- and 55-kDa polypeptides were identical in gel electrophoresis to immunoprecipitated radiolabeled proteins, while the purified 45-kDa protein consisted of 2 closely spaced polypeptides with relative molecular weights of 45 and 43 kDa. The 36-, 45-, and 55-kDa proteins were post-translationally modified by incorporation of [3H]glucosamine and [3H]myristic acid, suggesting they are integral membrane proteins secured by a phosphatidylinositol anchor. Cross-reactivity studies with monoclonal and monospecific polyclonal antibodies revealed marked antigenic polymorphism of these 3 glycoproteins among diverse geographic isolates. In contrast, none of the polypeptides bound by anti-p58 monoclonal antibody were glycosylated or myristilated. Both monoclonal and monospecific polyclonal antibodies recognizing p58 bound to similar molecular weight proteins in 4 additional isolates of B. bigemina from Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and Kenya, suggesting widespread conservation of p58 immunogenic epitopes among geographic isolates. Calves immunized with immunoaffinity purified gp45, gp55, or p58 antigens were able to neutralize the infectivity of merozoites as indicated by significant reductions in the peak parasitemia after experimental challenge. Precise definition and appropriate presentation of neutralization sensitive epitopes on gp45, gp55, or p58 may enhance the merozoite neutralizing immune response in immunized cattle.

Surface epitope localization and gene structure of a Babesia bovis 44-kilodalton variable merozoite surface antigen.

Variation of Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigens occurs among geographic strains of the parasite. In this and a concurrent report, we investigate this variation at the gene and protein level. Using a monoclonal antibody (mAb 23/70.174), B. bovis gene sequences were identified that encoded a surface epitope of a 44-kDa merozoite surface antigen (MSA-2). This epitope is variably expressed among geographic isolates of B. bovis. Here, we describe the MSA-2 protein gene sequence, localize this surface epitope to a repeated amino acid sequence, and investigate the genomic organization of the gene in B. bovis strains from Mexico and Australia. The predicted protein sequence had hydrophobic regions at its amino and carboxy termini consistent with a signal peptide and a membrane anchor via glycosylphosphatidyl inositol, respectively. The surface epitope recognized by mAb 23/70.174 was localized within a 24-amino acid sequence which is repeated twice in tandem. Six different EcoRI bands hybridized to the MSA-2 gene sequence with varying intensities in genomic Southern blots of the homologous strain. Two of these appear to be alleles of the MSA-2 gene. Whereas 5' and 3' sequences of the MSA-2 gene sequence were detected in an Australia strain of B. bovis, internal gene sequences encoding the surface epitope were not. The 3' sequences of the MSA-2 gene also had significant sequence similarity with the MSA-1 gene of the Mexico strain B. bovis and a gene from the previously described BabR locus. These data indicate that the MSA-2 protein gene belongs to the BabR locus which encodes variable merozoite surface antigens.

A Babesia bovis 225-kilodalton protein located on the cytoplasmic side of the erythrocyte membrane has sequence similarity with a region of glycogen phosphorylase.

A Babesia bovis gene sequence is described which encodes a geographically conserved epitope (recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 23.8.34) of a 225-kDa protein located on the surface of merozoites and associated with the infected erythrocyte membrane. The gene sequence, derived from both genomic and cDNA copies, is 2044 bp long and has one long open reading frame encoding about one third of the 225-kDa protein. The open reading frame is expressed in an approximately 6,400 nucleotide RNA transcript. A 73-amino acid sequence occurs as 4 complete and 1 partial tandem repeats at the carboxy terminus of the partial protein sequence. The epitope recognized by mAb 23.8.34 was localized to the repeat region. Based on epitope localization with mAb 23.8.34, the repeat was exposed on the surface of merozoites and located near the cytoplasmic face of the erythrocyte membrane. The amino terminus of the protein was non-repetitive and had 21% identity (60% similarity) to glycogen phosphorylase over a region of 151 amino acids. In addition, the corresponding 5' DNA sequence hybridized to as many as 8 restriction fragments on Southern blots of genomic DNA. In contrast, the DNA sequence of the repeat hybridized to a single fragment. Both the repeat and multiple non-repeat DNA sequences were detected in a different geographic strain of B. bovis. These results indicate that the 5' end of the 225-kDa protein gene is related to a larger gene family, independent of the 3' end of the gene encoding the repeat.

Characterization of the gene encoding a 60-kilodalton Babesia bovis merozoite protein with conserved and surface exposed epitopes.

A clone expressing a surface exposed, conserved epitope of a 60-kDa merozoite polypeptide was identified in a cDNA library constructed from a cloned Mexico strain of Babesia bovis. Sequencing of the 1.9-kb insert (pBv60) revealed an open reading frame encoding a 65-kDa polypeptide with a signal peptide and a tandemly repeated region. Monoclonal antibody 23/56.156, which binds a surface exposed epitope on the native polypeptide, specifically immunoprecipitated [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides ranging from 60-30 kDa from pBv60 directed transcription and translation. Antibodies raised in rabbits against recombinant polypeptide reacted with the live merozoite surface in a polar immunofluorescence pattern, immunoprecipitated the native 60-kDa polypeptide, and were used to deplete the polypeptide by adsorption from a preparation of native [35S]methionine-labeled merozoite antigen. Restriction enzyme analysis indicated a single gene copy and the absence of introns. Hybridization demonstrated the presence of the gene in Mexico, Australia 'L', and Texas strains of B. bovis, but not in Babesia bigemina. A slightly different hybridization pattern was present in uncloned Australia 'L' B. bovis, indicating sequence diversity in the Bv60 gene among isolates. Cloning and structural analysis of pBv60 provides a source of defined antigen for determining the role of conserved merozoite surface epitopes in protective immunity against babesiosis.

Immunogenicity and sequence analysis of recombinant p58: a neutralization-sensitive, antigenically conserved Babesia bigemina merozoite surface protein.

The gene encoding the conserved, neutralization-sensitive surface protein p58 of Babesia bigemina was cloned and sequenced. An open reading frame of 1440 bases was found to encode a protein with a predicted size of 54 kDa. A transmembrane hydrophobic domain and signal peptide were present at the amino-terminus. The polypeptide encoded by a nearly full length cDNA was expressed in bacteria and contained epitope(s) reactive with anti-p58 polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Serum antibodies from rabbits immunized with a lysate of recombinant bacteria specifically immunoprecipitated native p58 from [35S]methionine-labeled B. bigemina antigens. In addition, the sera contained antibodies that bound to the surface of live merozoites from 4 geographically different Latin American isolates, confirming the presence and immunogenicity of conserved, surface-exposed epitopes on the recombinant polypeptide. This molecular clone will now enable immunization trials in cattle designed to better evaluate the ability of p58 to induce immune protection by vaccinating with constructs containing only conserved, neutralization-sensitive epitopes.

A cloned gene of Cryptosporidium parvum encodes neutralization-sensitive epitopes.

Two mAb, C6B6 and 7D10, each significantly reduced infection of mice by Cryptosporidium parvum and reacted with a 23-kDa glycoprotein (p23) of geographically disperse C. parvum isolates. The antibodies were used to identify plaques in a cDNA library prepared from C. parvum sporozoite mRNA. cDNA insert sequences from positive plaques were determined and used to isolate additional clones encoding p23 coding sequences. A consensus open reading frame of 333 base pairs, encoding 111 amino acids, was identified in this collection of cDNAs. The predicted amino acid sequence contained one N-glycosylation site, but lacked hydrophobic membrane spanning regions. Epitope mapping revealed that mAb 7D10 defines the linear epitope QDKPAD which occurs twice in the C terminal region of the peptide encoded by the ORF. This same C terminal peptide region contains a non-linear epitope bound by mAb C6B6. Serum from mice immunized with synthetic C terminal peptide reacted with sporozoite p23. The occurrence of neutralization-sensitive epitopes encoded by defined regions of the C. parvum genome suggests that recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides containing these epitopes may prove useful for inducing immune responses that diminish infection.

A unique Babesia bovis spherical body protein is conserved among geographic isolates and localizes to the infected erythrocyte membrane.

Using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 70/52.9, generated from a Babesia bovis fraction enriched for spherical body organelles, we have identified a 135-kDa protein containing an epitope conserved in B. bovis strains from Texas, Mexico, and Australia. The protein was localized to the spherical bodies of the babesial apical complex and was designated spherical body protein 3 (SBP3), according to the established nomenclature. Immunofluorescence studies showed binding of the 70/52.9 mAb to the infected-erythrocyte membrane region but not to their uninfected counterparts, demonstrating a host-cell association shared with the previously isolated B. bovis spherical body proteins, SBP1 and SBP2. Using mAb 70/52.9, the full-length cDNA encoding SBP3 was isolated from an expression library, sequenced, and oligonucleotide primers synthesized to amplify the genomic copy by polymerase chain reaction. The genomic copy contained no introns and was identical to the cDNA sequence with each containing a single, large open reading frame encoding a protein of 1089 residues. Analysis of the SBP3 amino acid sequence revealed no significant amino acid identity to SBP1 and SBP2 and a lack of repeated epitopes, a notable feature of the other two spherical body proteins. Labeled probes derived from the coding region of SBP3 hybridized to single fragments on Southern blots containing B. bovis genomic DNA indicating a single copy gene. With the identification of this third spherical body protein, which associates with the cytoplasmic face of the infected-erythrocyte membrane, a complement of distinct B. bovis proteins have been identified that are likely to contribute to intracellular survival, growth, and development for this parasite. The encoded protein should be valuable for functional investigations and evaluation of potential targets for host immunity.

A recombinant surface protein of Babesia bovis elicits bovine antibodies that react with live merozoites.

Ten monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were generated against five surface-exposed proteins (16 kDa, 42 kDa, 44 kDa, 60 kDa, 225 kDa) on merozoites of Babesia bovis. A genomic library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression vector was screened with MoAbs in a plaque immunoassay for identification of clones expressing recombinant surface proteins. Two recombinant clones were identified (lambda Bo44-15 and lambda Bo44-16) that encoded a protein recognized by a MoAb specific for an epitope on the native 44-kDa surface protein. Southern blot analysis using radiolabeled Bo44-15 DNA (1.25 kb) against merozoite DNA and bovine leukocyte DNA confirmed the parasite-specificity of the cloned insert and revealed multiple bands of hybridization with merozoite DNA. Western blot analyses of lambda Bo44-15 lysogen preparations demonstrated that recombinant protein production in this clone was IPTG-induced and that the recombinant molecule was a beta-galactosidase fusion protein. Additionally, recombinant 44-kDa protein, purified by immunoaffinity chromatography, reacted with specific MoAb in Western blot assay indicating that the integrity of the epitope was retained during purification. Immune sera from calves immunized with purified recombinant Bo44-15 protein immunoprecipitated metabolically radiolabeled merozoite protein of 44 kDa indicating that antibody induced by recombinant Bo44-15 protein recognized native 44-kDa protein. Also, these sera reacted with the surface of live merozoites as evidenced by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Serum antibody titers determined by this assay had a wide range.

Mixed lymphocyte culture responses in combined immunodeficiency of horses.

Combined immunodeficiency in horses is a genetic disorder in which there is a defect in the production of committed B and T lymphocytes. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from foals with combined immunodeficiency were examined for their capacity to stimulate and respond in one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures. Irradiated cells from combined immunodeficient foals were uniformly capable of stimulating cells from unrelated horses. However, none were able to respond to allogeneic stimulation. Examination of cells from known carrier horses revealed no difference in capacity to stimulate or to respond in mixed lymphocyte culture compared with noncarrier horses.

Major histocompatibility locus in the Arabian horse.

Combined immunodeficiency disease (CID) is a genetic disorder of T and B lymphocyte production which results in a nonfunctional immune system. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and has been reported in humans and in horses of the Arabian breed. Arabian horses known to have the CID gene and horses of unknown carrier status were tested using a microlymphocytotoxicity technique. Computer chi 2 analysis distinguished six serologically defined specificities. The study of unrelated horses and a limited number of families showed that the specificities behave as codominant alleles segregating at one locus. No differences in antigen frequency was detected between the CID carriers and the random horse population.

Correction of equine severe combined immunodeficiency by bone marrow transplantation.

A 32-day-old horse with severe combined immunodeficiency was transplanted with equine bone marrow cells in an attempt to establish immunologic responsiveness. A histocompatible, mixed-leukocyte-culture-nonreactive, sex-matched, full sibling was used as the donor. Recipient total lymphocyte count, T and B lymphocyte numbers, and response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytolectin stimulation increased by 14 days following transplantation. Circulating lymphocytes exceeded 1000 cells/microliter blood by 40 days posttransplantation, and by 170 days following transplantation, T and B lymphocyte numbers had reached normal values. The foal demonstrated significant primary and secondary antibody responses when immunized with bacteriophage phi X 174 at 100 and 142 days posttransplantation. Concentrations of IgG and IgM remained within the normal range following cessation of i.v. plasma therapy 156 days after transplantation. More than 300 days following transplantation, the foal remains healthy and is growing normally. At no time during the posttransplant period was there detectable evidence of graft-versus-host disease.

CD8 dimer usage on alpha beta and gama delta T lymphocytes from equine lymphoid tissues.

Eight murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were used to identify the equine CD8 alpha or CD8 beta chains and to define the expression of these chains on lymphocytes from various lymphoid tissues. CD8 alpha was a 39 kDa protein and CD8 beta was a 32 kDa protein. Both chains were expressed on most of the CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, spleen, thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes and ileal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), however, in each lymphoid compartment a percentage of lymphocytes expressed only the CD8 alpha chain. The largest percentage of CD8 alpha alpha expressing T lymphocytes was 37.7% of the IELs. Purified T lymphocytes from the ileum expressing CD8 alpha beta co-expressed the alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR). In contrast, purified CD8+ T lymphocytes from the PBMC co-expressed either the alpha beta or gamma delta TCR by RT-PCR. Use of pooled anti-CD8 alpha mAb of the murine IgG2a isotype and rabbit complement resulted in lysis of the entire CD8 expressing population in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). These results indicated that CD8 dimer usage by equine T lymphocytes is similar to other species and that the mAb described can be further used to separate equine CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets from the lymphoid tissues to define their function in protection against viral and other infections.

Detection of mucosally delivered antibody to Cryptosporidium parvum p23 in infected calves.

We have developed an assay to detect mucosally delivered antibody to Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoite antigens. We absorbed a recombinant 23-kD sporozoite protein to polystyrene microspheres, and used flow cytometry to detect, titer, and determine the isotype of antibody to p23 that was shed in the feces of experimentally infected calves. Noninoculated calves have low levels of mucosal antibody to p23, with IgG1 as the predominant isotype. Antibody titers rise in inoculated calves as the animals recover from cryptosporidiosis. A calf that was naturally protected from cryptosporidiosis had mucosal IgM and IgG1 isotype anti-p23 antibodies prior to challenge with C. parvum oocysts. Ten days after challenge, the calf had high titers of IgM, IgA, IgG1, and IgG2 anti-p23 antibodies. Together, the data show that this method can be used to assess mucosally delivered antibody to C. parvum.

Biochemical and functional characterization of lymphocytes from a horse with lymphosarcoma and IgM deficiency.

Neoplastic lymphocytes from a horse with lymphosarcoma and IgM deficiency were analyzed for ability to grow in culture; surface and cytoplasmic IgM; functional activity in blastogenesis, cytoxicity, and suppressor assays; and activities of six enzymes involved in purine and pyrimidine metabolism. The cells lacked surface and cytoplasmic IgM. They had elevated activity of adenosine deaminase and reduced activity of purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Neoplastic cells were nonresponsive in blastogenesis assay and did not kill allogeneic lymphocyte target cells or YAC-1 targets in a lectin-dependent cytotoxicity assay, however, the cells were active in a suppressor assay. They were grown for 16 weeks in cultures supplemented with interleukin 2, during which time the cells retained suppressive activity. These results are consistent with a T cell lymphoma of suppressor cell origin, and may explain the deficiency of IgM observed in some horses with lymphoreticular neoplasms.

Effect of surface antigen-1 (SA-1) immune lymphocyte subsets and naive cell subsets in protecting scid mice from initial and persistent infection with Cryptosporidium parvum.

We tested the hypothesis that adoptive transfer of immune spleen cell subsets from Cryptosporidium parvum antigen immunized, immunocompetent BALB/c mice would prevent initial infection or terminate persistent infection in severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice. Cell donor mice were immunized with either solubilized C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites (positive control) or a surface antigen-1 (SA-1) enriched C. parvum antigen fraction. Both groups of BALB/c cell donor mice immunized with C. parvum antigens had increased antibody titers and lymphoproliferative responses when compared with negative control mice injected with phosphate buffered saline and adjuvant. Intravenous adoptive transfer of 5 x 10(6) cells of each cell subset (spleen cells, CD4 T and B lymphocytes, CD4 T lymphocytes or B lymphocytes) derived from immunized adult BALB/c donor mice did not protect scid mice against initial infection of the gastrointestinal epithelium with C. parvum, despite flow cytometric evidence of CD4 T lymphocyte engraftment in the spleen and detectable levels of C. parvum-specific serum antibody. In contrast, intravenous injection of either naive or immune CD4 T and B lymphocytes combined, or CD4 T lymphocytes alone, terminated persistent C. parvum infection in scid mice. Intestinal infectivity scores were significantly reduced by 9 days post-engraftment in all groups and continued to decline throughout the remainder of the experiment. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated significantly increased CD4 T lymphocytes in the spleens of recipient scid mice when compared with infected scid mice receiving no cells. Cryptosporidium parvum-specific antibody was detected on day 12 post engraftment in mice receiving SA-1 immune CD4 T and B lymphocytes but was not detectable in mice receiving naive cell subsets.

Equine SCID: mechanistic analysis and comparison with murine SCID.

V(D)J rearrangement is the molecular mechanism by which an almost limitless number of unique immune receptors is generated. V(D)J rearrangement involves two DNA breaks and religations resulting in two DNA joints; coding and signal joints. If V(D)J recombination is impaired (as in murine SCID (C.B-17 mouse] or RAG [Recombinase Activating Genes) deficient mice), B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte development is blocked and severe immunodeficiency results. The first animal model of SCID was reported in Arabian foals in 1973. Recently we demonstrated that the mechanistic defect in SCID foals is V(D)J recombination. However, the impairment of V(D)J recombination in SCID foals is phenotypically distinct from SCID mice in that both signal and coding joint ligation are impaired. Furthermore, though equine SCID and murine SCID have definite phenotypic differences, both defects are likely to be the result of defective expression of the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase.

An evaluation of contribution derived from investigations of equine immunodeficiencies.

Following the descriptions of immunodeficiencies in horses beginning in 1973, there has been considerable effort to develop methods for differential diagnosis and to determine the cause and prevalence of the disorders. In addition, the equine immunodeficiencies, especially combined immunodeficiency, have been studied from a comparative viewpoint with the goal of finding information applicable to similar diseases of children. Coincident with the development of knowledge about the immunodeficiencies per se, considerable information about several aspects of immunology has been obtained. It is the purpose of this review to focus on findings from experiments with equine immunodeficiencies concerning prenatal and neonatal immunology, lymphocyte function, secretory immunity, immunoreconstitution, graft-versus-host reactions and previously unrecognized diseases.