Analysis of genetic diversity of Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis using novel microsatellite markers with cross-species transferability.

We used next-generation sequencing technology to characterize 19 genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 11 expressed sequence tag (EST) SSR markers from Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis, a small freshwater fish that is widely distributed in Xinjiang, China. Primers were used to test for polymorphisms in three L. leuciscus baicalensis populations in Xinjiang. There were 4-27 (average 11.3) alleles (NA), the expected heterozygosity (HE) was 0.36-0.94 (average 0.75 ± 0.14), the observed heterozygosity (HO) was 0.37-1.00 (average 0.68 ± 0.18), and the polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.31-0.93 (average 0.71). The averages of HE and PIC for the EST-SSR markers were slightly lower than for the genomic SSR markers. Genetic analysis of the three populations showed similar results for PIC, HE, and NA. Amplifications were performed in nine other species; the top three transferability values were for Rutilus lacustris (80%), Leuciscus idus (76.7%), and Phoxinus ujmonensis (63.3%), with the following average values: PIC (0.56, 4.46, and 0.52); NA (0.40, 3.00, and 0.32); and HO (0.44, 2.74, and 0.22), respectively. L. leuciscus baicalensis is one of the most important commercial fish in Xinjiang, but in recent years, fishery resources have decreased sharply owing to water conservation projects, unreasonable utilization, and invasion by alien species. These novel SSR markers are appropriate for studies involving fingerprinting, gene flow, genetic diversity, population structure, and molecular-assisted breeding, and could contribute to the conservation of L. leuciscus baicalensis.

Effect of age on the immune system and pathology of mice with chronic graft-versus-host disease lupus nephritis.

We investigated the effect of age on the expression of immune molecules [ANA, C4, double stranded DNA (dsDNA), CD16/32, CD19, CD3, and CD64], urine protein, and pathology in mice with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) lupus nephritis (LN), and their relationship with reactivity index score. Mouse models of cGVHD LN were established, and mice were randomly divided into four aged-based groups of nine mice each. Serum levels of ANA, C4, and dsDNA were determined, the urine protein levels were assessed, and expression levels of CD16/32, CD19, CD3, and CD64 were measured. Expression levels of CD16/32+CD19(T1), CD16/CD32+CD3(T2), and CD64+CD3 or CD19(T3) were defined in the thymus, in bone marrow they were defined as CD16/32+CD19(B1), CD16/32+CD3(B2), CD64+CD3 or CD19(B3), and in spleen they were defined as CD16/32+CD19(P1), CD16/32+CD3(P2), CD64+CD3 or CD19(P3), respectively. There were significant differences in the levels of dsDNA and urine protein among the four groups (P < 0.05), which were negatively correlated with age. B1, B2, S1, and S2 were significantly different among the four groups (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation with age for B1 and B2. There was no correlation of expression of ANA, C4, dsDNA, T1-T3, B1-B3, S2-S3 with reactivity index score; S1 was the exception (r = -0.440, P = 0.011). Age influenced levels of dsDNA and urine protein in the mouse cGVHD model of LN. S1 was associated with reactivity index score and might also affect pathological changes.