Etablierung der RCAS-Gentransfertechnologie zur Durchführung funktionell-genomischer Studien beim Haushuhn

Schenk-Weibhauser, Katharina (2009): Etablierung der RCAS-Gentransfertechnologie zur Durchführung funktionell-genomischer Studien beim Haushuhn. Dissertation, LMU München: Tierärztliche Fakultät

Abstract

Introduction of the RCAS retroviral gene transfer technology for functional genomic studies in the chicken The recently sequenced chicken genome now allows the identification of so far unknown genes. Some of them may play a potential role in the regulation of the immune system. In future studies roles of these genes have to be analyzed. At this in vitro studies will be used firstly. But in vivo functions of those genes will have to be described in the end. Therefore techniques for a fast and efficient over expression and knock down of candidate genes have to be established. Goal of this work was to prove the applicability of the RCAS retroviral vector system, which has been developed in the 1980s. This highly efficient system is based on a replication competent Rous Sarkoma-Virus and has already been used in cell and developmental biology studies in the chicken. However studies on its application after hatch haven´t been performed so far, despite its particular relevance for studies on the chicken immune system as it is widely immature at the time of hatch. In the first part of this work, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing vector was constructed. An influence of the chicken line on the susceptibility of chicken embryo fibroblasts was detected in flow cytometric analyses. A possible reason could be the presence of endogenous retroviruses in less susceptible chicken lines leading to receptor interference. In accordance with this observation in in vivo tests retrovirus free chickens showed more homogenous plasma titers of RCAS based protein than a commercial chicken line. As GFP expression was predominantly seen in endothelial cells, the RCAS technology can be considered as particularly eligible for the expression of soluble proteins. Additionally viral protein was demonstrated to be expressed in bursal cells and heart muscle. For further characterization of the RCAS system vectors for the expression of the cytokine chBAFF or a soluble chBAFF receptor construct (huBCMA-Fc) were used. Plasma expression of biologically active cytokine was detectable throughout the entire experiment (two months). RCAS(BP)A-chBAFF-Flag transduced birds showed in comparison to controls significantly increased B cell frequencies in the spleen as well as enhanced plasma antibody titers. On the other hand animals expressing the soluble receptor huBCMA-Fc showed a significant reduction of splenic B cell frequency and an inhibited development of the bursa of fabricius. These findings correspond to the data obtained in studies with recombinant proteins. In the second part of this work the experiences with the RCAS technology were used to evaluate the function of the CD40/CD40L system as a second cytokine system. A soluble chCD40-huFc fusion protein was constructed as a functional inhibitor for CD40/CD40L interaction. In vitro tests showed that chCD40-huFc was able to bind a soluble chCD40L fusion protein. In vivo the RCAS based expression of chCD40-huFc caused a reduction of the blood B cell frequency and the bursa weight. Possibly the functional inhibition of the CD40/CD40L system decreases the number of B cells emigrating from the bursal medulla. Unlike in humans with a defect in the CD40L gene in chickens expressing chCD40-huFc the plasma IgM titer was not increased. However plasma titers of IgA and IgG were decreased, comparably with humans and mice with CD40L defects. The RCAS gene transfer technology was proved in two different model systems as an excellent system for analyses of cytokine functions in the chicken. Furthermore this system could also be used for functional analyses of growth factors and hormones.

• Dokumententyp: Dissertationen (Dissertation, LMU München)
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik ; 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 590 Tiere (Zoologie)
• Fakultäten: Tierärztliche Fakultät
• Sprache der Hochschulschrift: Deutsch
• Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 17. Juli 2009
• 1. Bericht­erstatter:in: Kaspers, Bernd