Characterization of the major histocompatibility complex class II DQB (MhcMamu-DQB1) alleles in a cohort of Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Genetic diversity and differentiation of the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) population in western Sichuan, China, based on the second exon of the major histocompatibility complex class II DQB (MhcMamu-DQB1) alleles

“…More specifically, high genetic diversity has often been shown to be positively correlated with indicator values of individual fitness such as the mating success of animals and adaptability to changing environmental conditions [35,36]. In accordance with a previous study in rhesus monkeys, Chinese-origin rhesus macaques have a greater genetic variation at the Mamu-DQB1 locus and higher nucleotide diversity of mtDNA when compared with Indian-origin rhesus macaques [31,37]. For example, only 16 Mamu-DQB1 alleles were identified from 107 Indian origin individuals born in captivity [38], whereas 23 Mamu-DQB1 alleles were identified from 119 Chinese rhesus macaques in this study.…”

“…For example, 14 Aona-DQB1 alleles were identified that separated the two lineages Aona-DQB1*22 and Aona-DQB1*23 in a group of 19 unrelated owl monkeys ( Aotus nancymaae ) [29]; Otting et al [30] sequenced exon 2 of the Mhc-DQB gene in each of a random panel of 60 non-pedigreed cynomolgous macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ), resulting in the detection of 23 Mafa-DQB1 alleles that had not previously been published and confirmed the trans-species model of evolution of the Mhc-DQB lineages, in which a group of major allele lineages is shared by different species of non-human primates in the phylogeny. Qiu et al [31] identified 37 MhcMamu-DQB1 alleles in 105 Chinese rhesus macaques by cloning and sequencing, illustrating a marked allelic polymorphism at DQB1 in these monkeys. Notably, in recent years more MHC class II DQB alleles have been identified and characterized in two closely related monkeys, rhesus and cynomolgous macaques, due to their common use as experimental animal models in biomedical research.…”

Sequence diversity of the MHC Ⅱ DRB gene in Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

“…Another 10 new alleles were detected in this study, which are likely to be Chinese tree shrew-specific alleles, and reflect the rich polymorphisms of the MHC Ⅱ DRB gene of the Chinese tree shrew. These are distinct from those of the northern tree shrew and this finding is consistent with the research results on MHC genes of other species (Qiu et al, 2008). DRB alleles from the northern tree shrew showed a rich genetic diversity, but only one of the alleles was transcribed.…”

Early Lesions following Aerosol Challenge of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Erdman Strain)

“…The use of animal models has contributed greatly to the understanding of hostepathogen interactions in this disease and nonhuman primates most closely resemble human beings with respect to immunological and genetic processes (Qiu et al, 2008), as well as to disease progression (Langermans et al, 2001).…”