Frequency of the major histocompatibility complex Mamu-A*01 allele in experimental rhesus macaques in China.
BACKGROUND
In Indian rhesus macaques, the major histocompatibility complex Mamu gene, especially the Mamu-A*01 allele, plays an important role in simian immunodeficiency virus susceptibility and disease progression. The Mamu-A*01 allele is one of the protective genes mostly being studied in simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.


METHODS
PCR was used to amplify the Mamu-A*01 allele in 130 Chinese-origin rhesus macaques. Identification of the allele was then confirmed by sequencing and IFN-γ ELISPOT assay.


RESULTS
The Mamu-A*01 allele was detected in 3.85% (5 of 130) of the experimental Chinese-origin rhesus macaques. The sequence homology reached 99.1% in comparison with Indian rhesus macaques. A significantly large number of spots were observed in Mamu-A*01-positive monkeys when analyzed by ELISPOT with Gag181-189 epitope stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that Mamu-A*01-positive Chinese-origin rhesus monkeys are suitable for use in AIDS studies.
Wang
Wei
W
Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Cong
Zhe
Z
Liu
Xiuying
X
Tong
Wei
W
Qiao
Hongwei
H
Jiang
Hong
H
Wei
Qiang
Q
Qin
Chuan
C
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002681:China; D058501:Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C110764:Mamu-A 01 antigen; D007371:Interferon-gamma