title: Further characterisation of cytokines in macropod marsupials: IL-10 and IL-10Δ3.
abstract: Interleukin-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that has been implicated, along with IFN-γ, in the disease sequelae of mycobacterial infection. In order to investigate the role of IL-10 in marsupial disease models we sequenced and characterised the IL10 gene in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus). An isoform IL-10Δ3, in which an in-frame deletion of exon 3 occurs, was discovered in both macropod species. Analysis of wallaby and other reported marsupial IL-10 homologs suggests that while marsupial IL-10 is comparable to that of human IL-10, the predicted IL-10Δ3 protein may play a more complicated role in the modulation of IL-10-directed responses. Expression of the canonical gene and splicing variant was confirmed in both wallabies, and the rufous hare-wallaby showed differential expression across lymph node, spleen and liver, with isoform expression detected in the lymph node. This characterisation and expression of IL-10 in de novo tissues provides a basis for further study into the role of IL-10 in disease models in marsupials.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia.
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alsemgeest
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: j.old@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Old
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia; School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Lauren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005091:Exons / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: IL-10; Interleukin; Isoform; Marsupial; Wallaby