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High-throughput immunogenetic typing of koalas suggests possible link between MHC alleles and cancers
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

High-throughput immunogenetic typing of koalas suggests possible link between MHC alleles and cancers

Bonnie Quigley, Galit Tzipori, K Nilsson and Peter Timms
Immunogenetics, Vol.72(9-10), pp.499-506
2020
PMCID: PMC7725693
PMID: 33083849
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High-throughput immunogenetic typing of koalas suggests possible link between MHC alleles and cancers1.85 MBDownloadView
Published Version Open Access CC BY V4.0
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-020-01181-7View
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Abstract

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus MHC Immunogenetic profiling
Characterizing the allelic diversity within major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is an important way of determining the potential genetic resilience of a population to infectious and ecological pressures. For the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), endemic diseases, anthropogenic factors and climate change are all placing increased pressure on this vulnerable marsupial. To increase the ability of researchers to study MHC genetics in koalas, this study developed and tested a high-throughput immunogenetic profiling methodology for targeting MHC class I UA and UC genes and MHC class II DAB, DBB, DCB and DMB genes in a population of 82 captive koalas. This approach was validated by comparing the determined allelic profiles from 36 koala family units (18 dam-sire-joey units and 18 parent-joey pairs), finding 96% overall congruence within family profiles. Cancers are a significant cause of morbidity in koalas and the risk factors remain undetermined. Our analysis of this captive population revealed several novel MHC alleles, including a potential link between the DBB*03 allele and a risk of developing cancer. This method offers a reliable, high-throughput protocol for expanded study into koala immunogenetics.

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Genetics & Heredity
Immunology

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