Identification of the peptide-binding motif recognized by the pigtail macaque class I MHC molecule Mane-A1*082:01 (Mane A*0301)

摘要

Indian Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have long dominated HIV/AIDs infection research as a non-human primate animal model of human disease. Due to a 1978 ban on the export of primates from India they have become increasingly harder to obtain and therefore alternatives are desirable. As an alternative, Pigtail macaques (Macaca Nestrina) are becoming a more commonly used animal model. While the pigtail and rhesus macaque immune systems respond similarly, more information is needed about pigtail macaques??? specific cellular immune responses to fully utilize these potentially valuable animals in research. \udKnowledge and understanding of pigtail macaques??? cellular immune response is critical in relating research to a human model of disease. An important aspect for understanding the immune response in an animal model is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC binding and its subsequent activation of the adaptive immune response is a vital portion of the cellular immune response. A significant portion of the NIH pigtail macaque cohort (n=103) expresses the MHC class I allele Mane A*03 (~29%) thus increasing the importance of understanding the cellular responses specifically in these Mane A*03+ animals. By characterizing the peptide binding motif recognized by Mane A*03 we will be able to use bioinformatic tools to predict MHC-peptide binding interactions and determine SIV/HIV epitopes for further studies, which in turn can be used in vaccine development studies and immunotherapy techniques. Understanding the MHC-peptide binding motif in this and other animals is essential for straightforward use of animal models in research and vaccine development.