The process of alveolar bone healing can be influenced by several local and systemic factors, which include the immune system and healing related genes. However, the exact role of host inflammatory responsiveness and genetic background in bone healing process remains unclear. In this context, we evaluated the influence inflammation in alveolar bone healing taking advantage of mice strains genetically selected for maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammatory response, as well AIR strains homozygous for RR/SS Slc11a1 genotypes. Experimental groups (N=5/time/group) comprised 8-week-old male or female AIRmax and AIRmin; and substrains AIRminRR, AIRminSS and AIRmaxRR and AIRmaxSS; submitted to extraction of upper right incisor and evaluated at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after upper incision extraction by micro-computed tomography (CT), histomorphometry, birefringence, immunohistochemistry and molecular (PCRArray) analysis. Initially, our results demonstrated that AIRmin mice presented an early increase (p<0.05) in bone volume, hyperdense regions, density of bone matrix and osteoblasts, increased (p<0.05) expressed of BMP4, BMP7 and RUNX2 when compared to AIRmax strain. AIRmin mice also presented lower counts of GR1+ and CD80+ cells, and higher counts of F4/80+ and CD206+ cells, in parallel with higher mRNA expression of CX3CL1, CCL5, CCR5 and ARG when compared to AIRmax animals. In late repair stages, the AIRmin strain presented a decreased (p<0.05) density of osteoclast and blood vessels than AIRmax, along lower RANKL and Catepk and higher PHEX and SOST mRNA expression, but the healing outcome at the endpoint was similar in AIRmin and AIRmax strains. When analyzed the effect of RR/SS Slc11a1 genotypes was evaluated in parallel with the influence AIRmin/AIRmax background, we initially observed that the AIRmax strain, associated with both RR and SS Slc11a1 genotypes, presented a more effective bone healing, characterized by increased (p<0.05) of bone volume and predominance of red fiber in analysis in contrast to AIRmin strains. AIRmaxRR presented increased (p<0.05) F4/80+ and decreased CD80+ e CD206+ cells count, while AIRmaxSS presented increased (p<0.05) GR1+, F4/80+ and CD80+ and decreased CD206+ cells. When the analysis was performed in order to address the influence Slc11a1 variants, AIRmaxSS strain presented a bone healing delay when compared to AIRmaxRR; characterized by decreased (p<0.05) of bone volume, trabecular number and red collagen fibers, increased (p<0.05) GR1+ and CD80+ and decreased F4/80+ and CD206+. Conversely, AIRminSS presented a more effective healing when compared with AIRminRR mice; characterized by increased (p<0.05) of bone volume, trabecular number/separation and red birefringence, increased GR1+ and decreased CD206+ cells count. In conclusion, while AIRmin and AIRmax strains presents a similar healing outcome at the endpoint, the early repair in AIRmin strain was associated with decreased presence of neutrophils and M1 macrophages, and increased M2 macrophages. Additionally, our while results showed that AIRmax inflammatory background was associated to a more effective bone healing process irrespective of the presence of RR/SS Slc11a1 genotypes, RR genotype favors the healing in AIRmax background and SS genotype was found to favor the healing in the AIRmin background. / O processo de reparo ósseo alveolar pode ser influenciado por vários fatores locais e sistêmicos, que incluem o sistema imunológico e os genes relacionados ao reparo. No entanto, o exato papel da resposta inflamatória do hospedeiro e genético background no processo de reparo ósseo ainda não está claro. Neste contexto, avaliamos a influência da inflamação no reparo óssea alveolar, em camundongos selecionadas geneticamente para uma resposta inflamatória aguda máxima (AIRmax) ou mínima (AIRmin), como também em camundongos AIR homozigoto para os alelos RR/SS do gene Slc11a1.Neste estudo foram utilizados camundongos machos e fêmeas (N=5/tempo/grupo), das linhagens selecionados para máxima e mínima (AIRmax e AIRmin) reação inflamatória, e também as sublinhagens AIRminRR, AIRminSS, AIRmaxRR e AIRmaxSS com idade aproximada de 8 semanas. Todos foram submetidos à extração do incisivo superior direito e avaliados nos períodos de 0, 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias pós extração, seguido pela análise tomografia computadorizada (CT), análise histomorfometria, análise de birrefringência, análise imuno-histoquímica e análise molecular (PCRArray). Inicialmente, nossos resultados demonstraram que a linhagem AIRmin, no período inicial, apresentou um aumento (p<0.05) no volume ósseo, nas regiões hiperdensas, na densidade de matriz óssea e osteoblastos, seguido pelo aumento (p<0.05) na expressão de BMP4, BMP7 e RUNX2 quando comparado a linhagem AIRmax. Camundongos AIRmin também apresentou uma menor contagem de células GR1+ e CD80+ e aumento da contagem de células F4/80+ e CD206+, em paralelo com aumento da expressão de mRNA de CX3CL1, CCL5, CCR5 e ARG quando comparado aos camundongos AIRmax. Nos períodos tardios, a linhagem AIRmin apresentou uma diminuição (p<0.05) na densidade de osteoclastos e vasos sanguíneos em comparação AIRmax, seguido por uma diminuição na expressão de mRNA de RANKL e Catepk e aumento de PHEX e SOST, mas o processo de reparo ósseo alveolar, no período final foi semelhante entres as linhagens AIRmin e AIRmax. Quando analisamos o efeito dos alelos RR/SS do gene Slc11a1 em paralelo com a influência do background AIRmin/AIRmax, nós inicialmente observamos que a linhagem AIRmax associada com ambos os alelos RR/SS do gene Slc11a1 apresentaram um processo de reparo mais efetivo, caracterizado pelo aumento (p<0.05) volume ósseo e predominância de fibras vermelhas em comparação com a linhagem AIRmin. Camundongos AIRmaxRR apresentaram aumento (p<0.05) na contagem de células F4/80+ e diminuição na contagem de células CD80+ e CD206+, enquanto, camundongos AIRmaxSS apresentou um aumento (p<0.05) na contagem de células GR1+, F4/80+, CD80+ e diminuição na contagem de células CD206+. Quando analisamos a influência dos alelos do gene Slc11a1, a linhagem AIRmaxSS apresentaram um atraso no reparo óssea quando comparado ao AIRmaxRR; caracterizado pela diminuição (p<0.05) do volume ósseo, número trabecular e fibras colágenas vermelhas, seguido pelo aumento (p<0.05) da contagem de células GR1+ e CD80+ e diminuição de células F4/80+ e CD206+. Por outro lado, camundongos AIRminSS apresentaram um reparo ósseo mais efetivo quando comparada com AIRminRR; caracterizada pelo aumento (p<0.05) do volume ósseo, número / separação trabecular e birrefringência das fibras colágenas no espectro vermelho, seguido pelo aumento da contagem de células GR1+ e diminuição das células CD206+. Diante disso, os nossos resultados demonstraram que as linhagens AIRmin e AIRmax apresentaram um processo de reparo ósseo alveolar semelhantes no período final do reparo, enquanto no reparo inicial a linhagem AIRmin estava associada com a diminuição de neutrófilos e macrófagos M1 e aumento dos macrófagos M2. Além disso, nossos resultados demonstraram que background AIRmax estava associado a um processo de reparo mais efetivo, independentemente da presença de genótipos RR/SS Slc11a1, o genótipo RR favorece o reparo no background AIRmax e o genótipo SS favoreceu a reparo no background AIRmin.

Previous analysis of the bovine SLC11A1 complementary DNA (cDNA) failed to identify any nucleotide variations other than a microsatellite length variation within the 3' untranslated region functionally associated with bovine brucellosis. In this study I set out to identify mutations in the genomic complement of the gene that may be associated with resistance or susceptibility to bovine brucellosis, and to determine if the microsatellite length polymorphism in the 3'UTR of bovine SLC11A1 modulates gene expression and subsequent disease resistance in a phase dependent manner. The results of this study demonstrate that there are seventy-five total single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) sites (excluding indels) located within the bovine genomic SLC11A1 sequence of a Brucella abortus resistant bull and a susceptible cow. Twenty of these SNPs segregated between resistant and susceptible populations, with 3 non-synonymous SNPs significantly associating with resistance or susceptibility to B. abortus infection. An A695G within exon 2 resulted in a histidine (resistant allele) to arginine (susceptible allele) amino acid substitution and was in significant linkage disequilibrium with the previously described 3' untranslated region (UTR) microsatellite length variation associated with brucellosis resistance. A transcriptional element search in the 3' UTR revealed a ETS-domain PU.1 site, an IFN-γ activation site (GAS), an Interferon Consensus Sequence Binding Protein site (ICSBP) and several Initiation Response sites (Inr), suggesting a possible function for this region in regulation of the expression of SLC11A1. A mobility shift assay confirmed sequence-specific DNA-protein interaction within this region. A luciferase reporter assay indicated that the 3'UTR of SLC11A1 could act as a downstream enhancer for expression. Macrophage killing assays with RAW264.7 cells expressing bovine SLC11A1 demonstrated that the microsatellite repeat is functionally associated with the macrophage killing efficiency, but not in a phase-dependent manner, suggesting that these length polymorphisms do not affect the angular orientation between cooperatively binding transcription factors, and leaves the possibility that the 3'UTR microsatellites regulate SLC11A1 transcription through some alternate mechanism, possibly mRNA stability.

A artrite induzida por pristane (PIA) em camundongos AIRmax homozigotos para o alelo R e S do gene Slc11a1 foi usada para avaliar a influência do polimorfismo deste gene na resposta imune, mais especificamente na ativação de macrófagos peritoneais durante a PIA. Estudos anteriores mostraram que a presença do alelo S do gene Slc11a1 aumentou a incidência e a severidade da PIA em AIRmaxSS, sugerindo que este gene ou outro próximo esteja interagindo com o loci da inflamação para modular a PIA. O tratamento com pristane nos animais AIRmaxSS induziu infiltrado intenso composto por linfócitos, monócitos/macrófagos e neutrófilos. Macrófagos AIRmaxSS apresentaram perfis de expressão gênica e celular exacerbados durante a PIA, com expressão/produção elevada de H2O2, NO, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a e várias quimiocinas. Entretanto, o alelo R do gene Slc11a1 foi capaz de regular a intensidade de ativação do macrófago de forma mais eficiente que o alelo S e controlar desenvolvimento da artrite. Houve acometimento do rim, pulmão e timo durante a PIA. Nossos dados sugerem que o gene Slc11a1 modula a ativação dos macrófagos envolvidos na suscetibilidade a PIA e estas linhagens representam um modelo murino alternativo para o estudo da artrite reumatoide. / Pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in AIRmax mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R and S allele was used in this study to characterize the role of Slc11a1 polymorphisms on immune response, more specifically in the activation of peritoneal macrophages during PIA. Previous reports showed the presence of S allele of Slc11a1 increased the incidence and severity PIA in AIRmaxSS, suggesting that this gene or another closed-linked gene interacts with inflammatory loci to modulate PIA. Pristane treatment induced intense infiltration of lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils in AIRmaxSS animals. AIRmaxSS macrophages demonstrated exacerbated cellular and gene expression profiles during PIA, with higher expression/production of H2O2, NO, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a and chemokines. However, Slc11a1 R allele could be regulating macrophage activation intensity more efficiently than the S allele and control the development of arthritis. There was involvement of kidney, lung and thymus during PIA. Our data suggest that the Slc11a1 gene modulates macrophage activation involved in PIA susceptibility and these lines represent an alternative murine model of rheumatoid arthritis.

A artrite induzida por pristane (PIA) em camundongos AIRmax homozigotos para o alelo R e S do gene Slc11a1 foi usada para avaliar a influência do polimorfismo deste gene na resposta imune, mais especificamente na ativação de macrófagos peritoneais durante a PIA. Estudos anteriores mostraram que a presença do alelo S do gene Slc11a1 aumentou a incidência e a severidade da PIA em AIRmaxSS, sugerindo que este gene ou outro próximo esteja interagindo com o loci da inflamação para modular a PIA. O tratamento com pristane nos animais AIRmaxSS induziu infiltrado intenso composto por linfócitos, monócitos/macrófagos e neutrófilos. Macrófagos AIRmaxSS apresentaram perfis de expressão gênica e celular exacerbados durante a PIA, com expressão/produção elevada de H2O2, NO, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a e várias quimiocinas. Entretanto, o alelo R do gene Slc11a1 foi capaz de regular a intensidade de ativação do macrófago de forma mais eficiente que o alelo S e controlar desenvolvimento da artrite. Houve acometimento do rim, pulmão e timo durante a PIA. Nossos dados sugerem que o gene Slc11a1 modula a ativação dos macrófagos envolvidos na suscetibilidade a PIA e estas linhagens representam um modelo murino alternativo para o estudo da artrite reumatoide. / Pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in AIRmax mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R and S allele was used in this study to characterize the role of Slc11a1 polymorphisms on immune response, more specifically in the activation of peritoneal macrophages during PIA. Previous reports showed the presence of S allele of Slc11a1 increased the incidence and severity PIA in AIRmaxSS, suggesting that this gene or another closed-linked gene interacts with inflammatory loci to modulate PIA. Pristane treatment induced intense infiltration of lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils in AIRmaxSS animals. AIRmaxSS macrophages demonstrated exacerbated cellular and gene expression profiles during PIA, with higher expression/production of H2O2, NO, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a and chemokines. However, Slc11a1 R allele could be regulating macrophage activation intensity more efficiently than the S allele and control the development of arthritis. There was involvement of kidney, lung and thymus during PIA. Our data suggest that the Slc11a1 gene modulates macrophage activation involved in PIA susceptibility and these lines represent an alternative murine model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 OliviaMNS.pdf: 1791724 bytes, checksum: ee4754a0285c7794728cf70013277cc2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-03 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The aetiology of autoimmunes disease is multifactorial and involves interactions among environmental, hormonal and genetic factors. Many different genes may contribute to autoimmunes disease susceptibility. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes have been extensively studied, however many non-polymorphic MHC genes have also been reported to contribute to autoimmune diseases susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of SLC11A1 gene in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ninety-six patients with SLE, 37 with RA and 202 controls enrolled in this case-control study, were evaluated with regard to demographic, genetic, laboratorial and clinical data. SLE mainly affects females in the ratio of 18 women for each man, 88,3% of the patients aged from 15 to 45 years old and it occurs with similar frequency in whites and mulattos. The rate of RA between women and men was 11:1, with 77,1% of the cases occurring from 31 to 60 years. The genetic analysis of the point mutation -236 of the SLC11A1 gene by SSCP did not show significant differences between alleles/genotypes in patients with SLE or RA when compared to controls. The most frequent clinical manifestations in patients with SLE were cutaneous (87%) and joint (84.9%). In patients with RA, the most frequent out-joint clinical manifestation were rheumatoid nodules (13,5%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in 100% of the patients with SLE. There was no significant relation between activity of disease and presence of rheumatoid factor in patients with RA, however 55,6% of patients with active disease presented positive rheumatoid factor. Significant association between alleles/genotypes of point mutation -236 and clinical manifestations was not found / A etiologia das doen?as autoimunes ? multifatorial, resultando de intera??es complexas de fatores ambientais, hormonais e gen?ticos. Diversos genes contribuem para a suscetibilidade ?s doen?as autoimunes. Os genes do complexo principal de histocompatibilidade (MHC) tem sido amplamente estudados, por?m genes n?o-MHC tamb?m parecem contribuir para a suscetibilidade a autoimunidade. O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a influ?ncia do gene SLC11A1 nas doen?as autoimunes lupus eritematoso sist?mico (LES) e artrite reumat?ide (AR). Foram arrolados 96 pacientes com LES, 37 com AR e 202 controles saud?veis, em estudo caso-controle, avaliando os dados demogr?ficos, gen?ticos e cl?nico-laboratoriais. LES afetou principalmente o sexo feminino na raz?o de 18 mulheres para 1 homem, sendo 88,3% na faixa et?ria entre 15 e 45 anos e ocorreu com freq??ncias semelhantes em brancos e pardos. A raz?o encontrada de AR entre mulheres e homens foi 11:1, com 77,1% dos casos ocorrendo entre 31 e 60 anos. A an?lise gen?tica do ponto de muta??o -236 da regi?o promotora do gene SLC11A1 por SSCP, n?o mostrou diferen?as significativas entre as freq??ncias de alelos ou gen?tipos de pacientes com LES ou AR em rela??o aos controles. As manifesta??es cl?nicas mais freq?entes nos pacientes com LES foram a cut?nea (87%) e articular (84,9%). Na AR a manifesta??o cl?nica extra-articular mais encontrada foi a presen?a de n?dulo reumat?ide (13,5%). A pesquisa do anticorpo anti-nuclear (FAN) foi positiva em 100% dos pacientes com LES. N?o houve rela??o significativa entre doen?a ativa e presen?a de fator reumat?ide em pacientes com AR, no entanto, 55,6% dos pacientes com doen?a ativa, apresentavam fator reumat?ide positivo. N?o foi encontrada associa??o significativa entre as manifesta??es cl?nicas ou achados laboratoriais e alelos/gen?tipos do ponto de muta??o -236

Sublinhagens de camundongos AIRmax e AIRmin homozigotas para os alelos S do gene Slc11a1 diferem na capacidade de reparar um orifício na orelha. Os animais AIRmaxSS regeneraram o tecido da orelha 30 dias após a perfuração, enquanto que os animais AIRminSS apenas cicatrizaram a ferida mas nunca a restauraram completamente. A regeneração da orelha observada nos animais AIRmaxSS deve-se a inflamação menos intensa da área ferida no início do processo de reparação, culminando em baixa deposição de colágeno e expressão da proteína a-SMA na orelha desses animais e a repressão de genes participantes em funções relacionadas à contração muscular. Além disso, detectamos alguns genes candidatos no cromossomo 11 regulando o fenótipo de cicatrização tissular da orelha de camundongos AIRminSS. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o grau da resposta inflamatória, assim como a ativação ou repressão de genes participantes durante os eventos de reparação tissular podem modular a qualidade da resolução da injúria, culminando em um processo regenerativo ou de cicatrização. / Homozygous AIRmax and AIRmin sublines for Slc11a1 R and S alleles differ in the ability to repair to the ear hole. AIRmaxSS mice exhibited regeneration 30 days after ear punch while AIRminSS animals did not show regeneration. The regeneration observed in AIRmaxSS mice was due to lower inflammation at the beginning of repair process resulting in less deposition of collagen and expression of a-SMA protein in the ears of these animals. Down regulated genes related with muscle contraction was observed in AIRmaxSS mice. In addition, AIRminSS mice presented gene cluster on chromosome 11 with expression profile that predispose them to wound healing with scar. These results suggest that the importance of regulating inflammation in the initial events and the activation and repression of some genes related to the wound healing phenotype can drives tissue regeneration or wound healing after ear punch.

Sublinhagens de camundongos AIRmax e AIRmin homozigotas para os alelos S do gene Slc11a1 diferem na capacidade de reparar um orifício na orelha. Os animais AIRmaxSS regeneraram o tecido da orelha 30 dias após a perfuração, enquanto que os animais AIRminSS apenas cicatrizaram a ferida mas nunca a restauraram completamente. A regeneração da orelha observada nos animais AIRmaxSS deve-se a inflamação menos intensa da área ferida no início do processo de reparação, culminando em baixa deposição de colágeno e expressão da proteína a-SMA na orelha desses animais e a repressão de genes participantes em funções relacionadas à contração muscular. Além disso, detectamos alguns genes candidatos no cromossomo 11 regulando o fenótipo de cicatrização tissular da orelha de camundongos AIRminSS. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o grau da resposta inflamatória, assim como a ativação ou repressão de genes participantes durante os eventos de reparação tissular podem modular a qualidade da resolução da injúria, culminando em um processo regenerativo ou de cicatrização. / Homozygous AIRmax and AIRmin sublines for Slc11a1 R and S alleles differ in the ability to repair to the ear hole. AIRmaxSS mice exhibited regeneration 30 days after ear punch while AIRminSS animals did not show regeneration. The regeneration observed in AIRmaxSS mice was due to lower inflammation at the beginning of repair process resulting in less deposition of collagen and expression of a-SMA protein in the ears of these animals. Down regulated genes related with muscle contraction was observed in AIRmaxSS mice. In addition, AIRminSS mice presented gene cluster on chromosome 11 with expression profile that predispose them to wound healing with scar. These results suggest that the importance of regulating inflammation in the initial events and the activation and repression of some genes related to the wound healing phenotype can drives tissue regeneration or wound healing after ear punch.

Sublinhagens de camundongos AIRmax e AIRmin homozigotas para os alelos R ou S do gene Slc11a1 apresentam distinta capacidade regenerativa à perfuração de suas orelhas. Animais AIRmaxSS exibiram regeneração tecidual precoce em comparação aos animais AIRmaxRR, sugerindo que o alelo S favorece a regeneração nestes animais. Camundongos das sublinhagens AIRmin não apresentaram regeneração após perfuração de suas orelhas. Em resposta ao estímulo, animais AIRmaxSS exibiram inflamação local mais intensa e tardia do que animais AIRmaxRR, demonstrando elevados níveis de MPO e edema, e influxo celular predominantemente de neutrófilos. Ensaios de expressão gênica global demonstraram genes diferencialmente expressos entre as sublinhagens, evidenciando genes sobre-representados no tema biológico proliferação celular em ambas sublinhagens, enquanto somente nos animais AIRmaxSS ocorreu sobre-representação para resposta inflamatória nos genes ativados e para contração muscular nos genes reprimidos. Os resultados de microarray foram validados por qPCR. / Homozygous AIRmax and AIRmin sublines for Slc11a1 R and S alleles present distinct regenerative capacity to the ear hole. AIRmaxSS mice exhibited early tissue regeneration compared to AIRmaxRR animals, suggesting that the Slc11a1 S allele promotes regeneration in these animals. AIRmin sublines didnt show regeneration after ear punch. In response to the stimulus, AIRmaxSS animals exhibited more intense and later local inflammation than AIRmaxRR animals, presenting elevated levels of MPO, edema and cellular influx predominantly of neutrophils. Global gene expression analysis showed differentially-expressed genes between the sublines, in which over-represented biological theme is cell proliferation in both sublines. AIRmaxSS animals displayed over-representation of inflammatory response in up-regulated genes and of muscle contraction in down-regulated genes. Microarray results were validated by using quantitative PCR.

Sublinhagens de camundongos AIRmax e AIRmin homozigotas para os alelos R ou S do gene Slc11a1 apresentam distinta capacidade regenerativa à perfuração de suas orelhas. Animais AIRmaxSS exibiram regeneração tecidual precoce em comparação aos animais AIRmaxRR, sugerindo que o alelo S favorece a regeneração nestes animais. Camundongos das sublinhagens AIRmin não apresentaram regeneração após perfuração de suas orelhas. Em resposta ao estímulo, animais AIRmaxSS exibiram inflamação local mais intensa e tardia do que animais AIRmaxRR, demonstrando elevados níveis de MPO e edema, e influxo celular predominantemente de neutrófilos. Ensaios de expressão gênica global demonstraram genes diferencialmente expressos entre as sublinhagens, evidenciando genes sobre-representados no tema biológico proliferação celular em ambas sublinhagens, enquanto somente nos animais AIRmaxSS ocorreu sobre-representação para resposta inflamatória nos genes ativados e para contração muscular nos genes reprimidos. Os resultados de microarray foram validados por qPCR. / Homozygous AIRmax and AIRmin sublines for Slc11a1 R and S alleles present distinct regenerative capacity to the ear hole. AIRmaxSS mice exhibited early tissue regeneration compared to AIRmaxRR animals, suggesting that the Slc11a1 S allele promotes regeneration in these animals. AIRmin sublines didnt show regeneration after ear punch. In response to the stimulus, AIRmaxSS animals exhibited more intense and later local inflammation than AIRmaxRR animals, presenting elevated levels of MPO, edema and cellular influx predominantly of neutrophils. Global gene expression analysis showed differentially-expressed genes between the sublines, in which over-represented biological theme is cell proliferation in both sublines. AIRmaxSS animals displayed over-representation of inflammatory response in up-regulated genes and of muscle contraction in down-regulated genes. Microarray results were validated by using quantitative PCR.

VSR Dukkipati (2007). A search for genetic factors influencing immune responses to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Doctoral thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. A study was conducted to identify associations between genetic markers and immune responses in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep to a killed Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) vaccine (GudairTM). Blood samples and immune response data (antibody and interferon gamma, IFN-gamma results) were obtained from 934 sheep from a longterm Map vaccination trial undertaken on three independent properties in New South Wales, Australia. Blood samples were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers that included four (DYMS1, OLADRW, OLADRB and SMHCC1) from the Ovar-Mhc region, two each from the SLC11A1 (OVINRA1 and OVINRA2) and IFN-gamma (o(IFN)gamma and OarKP6) gene regions. Vaccination with GudairTM induced strong antibody and IFN-gamma responses as early as two weeks post-vaccination. Between-property differences in magnitude and trend of immune responses, concomitant with season of vaccination and magnitude of natural infection prevalent in individual flocks, were evident. Immune responses in controls on all the three properties remained consistently low, except for slightly elevated IFN-gamma levels at a few time points in controls of properties 2 and 3, concomitant with exposure to natural infection. There were only 2 alleles and 3 genotypes for marker o(IFN)gamma but other loci exhibited extensive polymorphisms, the most occurring at OLADRW which had 42 alleles and 137 genotypes. Heterozygosities varied between 33% (OVINRA2) and 87% (SMHCC1), while polymorphic information contents ranged from 0.31 (o(IFN)gamma) to 0.88 (OLADRW). Genotypes at loci DYMS1, OLADRB, SMHCC1, OVINRA1 and o(IFN)gamma were in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), while those at OarKP6 were in HWE only when rare alleles (<1.0% frequency) were pooled with the closest size class. Departure from HWE, resulting from possible preferential amplification of alleles in heterozygotes, was evident at OLADRW and OVINRA2. Associations between immune responses and genetic polymorphisms at the marker loci were examined by analysing both genotypic and allelic affects. The study revealed several genotypes/alleles at different marker loci to be significantly associated with antibody and IFN-gamma responses to vaccination with GudairTM. However, the majority of those effects were inconsistent across the three properties. Based on significance and consistency in effects across the three properties, five genotypes (two at DYMS1 and one each at OLADRB, SMHCC1 and OVINRA1) and three alleles (one each at DYMS1, OLADRB and o(IFN)gamma) were considered either ‘probable’ or ‘most likely’ to be associated with low IFN-gamma responses, while a genotype at o(IFN)gamma was considered ‘most likely’ to influence high IFN-gamma responses. An allele at OarKP6 was considered ‘probable’ to be associated with low antibody responses to vaccination. Considering the significance of IFN-gamma responses in protection against Map, it is likely that the identified genotype/alleles influencing IFN-gamma responses to vaccination would also influence immune responses to natural Map infections. However, further studies need to be conducted to determine the role of these marker genotypes/alleles in protection against paratuberculosis under natural infection conditions. Key words: paratuberculosis, OJD, Johne’s disease, sheep, immune response, genetic markers, gene polymorphisms, MHC, SLC11A1, IFN-gamma