Cheynel, Louise, Lazarou, Luke, Riley, Eleanor M and Viney, Mark
(2023)
The genetics of immune and infection phenotypes in wild mice, <i>Mus musculus domesticus</i>.
Molecular Ecology, 32 (15).
pp. 4242-4258.
Abstract
Wild animals are under constant threat from a wide range of micro- and macroparasites in their environment. Animals make immune responses against parasites, and these are important in affecting the dynamics of parasite populations. Individual animals vary in their anti-parasite immune responses. Genetic polymorphism of immune-related loci contributes to inter-individual differences in immune responses, but most of what we know in this regard comes from studies of humans or laboratory animals; there are very few such studies of wild animals naturally infected with parasites. Here we have investigated the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-related loci (the major histocompatibility complex [MHC], and loci coding for cytokines and Toll-like receptors) on a wide range of immune and infection phenotypes in UK wild house mice, Mus musculus domesticus. We found strong associations between SNPs in various MHC and cytokine-coding loci on both immune measures (antibody concentration and cytokine production) and on infection phenotypes (infection with mites, worms and viruses). Our study provides a comprehensive view of how polymorphism of immune-related loci affects immune and infection phenotypes in naturally infected wild rodent populations.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Animals, Animals, Wild, Mice, Cytokines, Phenotype, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide |
Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jun 2023 09:12 |
Last Modified: | 05 Aug 2023 01:27 |
DOI: | 10.1111/mec.17027 |
Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17027 |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3171126 |