title: Molecular characterisation of the caprine (Capra hircus) lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 alpha subunit-encoding cDNA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18, alpha L beta 2) is required for many cellular adhesive interactions during the immune response.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used SMART RACE technology to obtain caprine CD11a 5'- and 3'-ends and RT-PCR to amplify the full-length CDS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Capra hircus CD11a-encoding cDNA was sequenced and compared with its human, murine, rat, bovine and ovine counterparts. Despite some focal differences, it shares all the main characteristics of its known mammalian homologues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, along with the caprine CD18-encoding cDNA, which has been available for a few months, the sequence data revealed here will allow the Capra hircus LFA-1 expression in vitro as a tool to explore the specificities of inflammation in the caprine species.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium. thomas.fett@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fett
authors.forename: Laurent L M
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zecchinon
authors.forename: Etienne A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Baise
authors.forename: Daniel J M
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Desmecht