title: The Mhc class II DRB genotype of Macaca fascicularis does not influence infection by simian retrovirus type 2.
abstract: Simian retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2) is a natural pathogen of Macaca fascicularis. Although SRV-2 may be endemic in macaque colonies, it is not necessarily detected in all individuals suggesting differential susceptibility to SRV-2; factors contributing to this susceptibility are not fully understood. We have investigated the role of host genetic origin on virus susceptibility. We have shown that high levels of anti-SRV-2 antibodies correlate with failure to establish persistent virus infection, thus we targeted our genetic analysis of virus susceptibility with an investigation of the role of the polymorphic macaque major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II locus. DRB genotypes, both novel and previously characterised, were identified in individuals and family groups. A discordance with SRV-2 infection status suggests that an Mhc II DRB genotype is not overtly associated with the outcome of viral infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Retrovirology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Mee
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Murrell
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sauermann
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ladhani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Almond
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016093:Mason-Pfizer monkey virus / Q000276:immunology*; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II