The SLA Haplotype Analysis in Yucatan Miniature Pigs in Korea

The swine version of the Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC) is called Swine Leukocyte Antigen (SLA), which is located on the pig chromosome 7 (SSC7). The SLA genes are most important in relation to immune responses and transplantation researches. In this study, three class I (SLA-1, SLA-3 and SLA-2) genes and three class II (DRB1, DQB1 and DQA) genes were identified with using PCR-SSP method and the SLA haplotypes were investigated in Yucatan miniature pigs in Korea. Previously, Yucatan miniature pigs had four SLA class I haplotypes (Lr-4.0, Lr-5.0, Lr-6.0 and Lr-7.0) and four SLA class II haplotypes (Lr-0.5, Lr-0.6, Lr-0.7 and Lr-0.8a). In the Korean Yucatan population, three SLA Class I haplotypes (Lr-4.0, Lr-6.0 and Lr-25.0) and three SLA class II haplotypes (Lr-0.5, Lr-0.7 and Lr-0.25) were identified, respectively. The investigation of SLA class I and II haplotypes together, two homozygous (Lr-4.5/4.5 and Lr-6.7/6.7) and three heterozygous haplotypes (Lr-4.5/6.7, Lr-4.5/25.25 and Lr-6.7/25.25) were identified and the results indicated that previously unidentified new heterozygous haplotypes (Lr-4.5/4.7) were identified in the Korean Yucatan popuation. The new electrophoresis method using Agilent 2100 analyzer suggested that the faster confirmation of three haplotypes (Lr-4.5, Lr-6.7 and Lr-25.25) was possible. These results will facilitate the selection of SLA homozygous pigs, possibly used for the biomedical researches and for the xenotransplantation researches.

Keywords: Haplotype, MHC, SLA, Yucatan miniature pig