ARS | Publication request: Evolution of the CD163 Family and its Relationship to the Bovine Gamma Delta T Cell Co-receptor WC1

Submitted to: BMC Evolutionary Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 24, 2010
Publication Date: June 15, 2010
Repository URL: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/10/181
Citation: Herzig, C., Waters, W.R., Baldwin, C., Telfer, J. 2010. Evolution of the CD163 Family and its Relationship to the Bovine Gamma Delta T Cell Co-receptor WC1. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 10(1):181.

Interpretive Summary: Despite highly successful eradication efforts in several countries, tuberculosis of cattle remains a serious health concern worldwide. In addition, recent outbreaks of tuberculosis in Michigan, Minnesota, California, and New Mexico demonstrate that the disease is far from eliminated from the United States. Improved techniques are needed for detection of infected cattle as well as improved control strategies (e.g., vaccines). To develop improved tests and vaccines, it is beneficial to first understand the nature of bovine immune responses. In this study, a molecule likely involved in both adaptive and innate immune responses of cattle to various infectious agents was characterized. This basic information will be useful for development of improved tests and vaccines for cattle.

Technical Abstract: The scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) domain is an ancient and highly conserved protein domain. CD163 and WC1 molecules are classed together as group B SRCR superfamily members, along with Spa, CD5 and CD6, all of which are expressed by immune system cells. There are three known types of CD163 molecules in mammals, CD163A (M130, coded for by CD163), CD163B (M160, coded for by CD163L1) and CD163c-a (CD163L1 or SCART), while their nearest relative, WC1, is encoded by a multigene family so far identified in the artiodactyl species of cattle, sheep, and pigs.