Porcine IL12A and IL12B gene mapping, variation and evidence of association with lytic complement and blood leucocyte proliferation traits

Abstract

Interleukin-12, a heterodimeric cytokine consisting of glycosylated subunits of 35 and 40 kDa, is a central molecule in controlling innate as well as adaptive immunity. This study was aimed to investigate the role of IL12A and IL12B as candidate genes for immune competence in pigs. The porcine genes were screened for polymorphism and association analysis was carried out by mixed model analysis with parameters of innate immunity, in vitro haemolytic complement activity in the classical and alternative pathways, in vivo complement activation expressed as C3c serum concentration, and blood leucocyte proliferation measured in F2 animals of a pig resource population based on cross of Duroc and Berlin miniature pig (DUMI resource population). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region (C > A) of IL12A was identified. Two SNPs were detected in intron 4 of IL12B at positions 192 (A > G) and 437 (C > T). Significant effects of IL12 genotypes on complement activity traits and mitogen-induced leucocyte proliferation were found. The IL12A and IL12B genes were assigned to chromosome13 and 16, respectively, by using radiation hybrid analysis and genetic mapping in the DUMI resource population. Mapping and association analyses promote the IL12 genes as functional and positional candidate gene for disease resistance in pigs.

IL‐12B Gene Polymorphisms and IL‐12 p70 Serum Levels Among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…It is a heterodimeric proinflammatory cytokine formed by a 35‐kDa chain (encoded by the IL‐12A gene) and a 40‐kDa chain (encoded by the IL‐12B gene) . The p40 subunit (IL‐12B) may also form homodimers, which can bind to IL‐12 receptors and inhibit the activation induced by the IL‐12 heterodimer as well as modulate IL‐12 function . In patients with RA, initial studies have identified IL‐12 residing in the synovial cells of inflamed joints .…”

Detection of quantitative trait loci affecting haematological traits in swine via genome scanning

“…To most infectious diseases, the resistance of an individual is resulted from both innate immunity and acquired immunity. The capacity of innate immunity or acquired immunity is more or less controlled by genes [1-4]. The resistance to some diseases is due to a single gene [5,6], but for most diseases it is due to multiple genes [7], among which a few genes (QTL or major genes) have relative large effects and thus play important role in disease resistance.…”

Transcriptional Profiling of Leucocyte Count Variation from Porcine Peripheral Blood Reveals Differential Gene Expression

“…To these infectious diseases, the resistance of an individual resulted from both innate and acquired immunity. The capacity of innate immunity or acquired immunity is more or less controlled by genes [23–25]. In pigs, genetic studies have revealed several genes that participate in the resistance to diseases [26] including single-gene porcine ryanodine receptor (ryr1) regulating malignant hyperthermia [27] and porcine factor H [28].…”