This review summarizes the current knowledge on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the family Felidae. This family comprises an important domestic species, the cat, as well as a variety of free-living felids, including several endangered species. As such, the Felidae have the potential to be an informative model for studying different aspects of the biological functions of MHC genes, such as their role in disease mechanisms and adaptation to different environments, as well as the importance of genetic diversity for conservation issues in free-ranging or captive populations. Despite this potential, the current knowledge on the MHC in the family as a whole is fragmentary and based mostly on studies of the domestic cat and selected species of big cats. The overall structure of the domestic cat MHC is similar to other mammalian MHCs following the general scheme "centromere-MHC class I-MHC class III-MHC class II" with some differences in the gene contents. An unambiguously defined orthologue of the non-classical class I HLA-E gene has not been identified so far and the class II DQ and DP genes are missing or pseudogenized, respectively. A comparison with available genomes of other felids showed a generally high level of structural and sequence conservation of the MHC region. Very little and fragmentary information on in vitro and/or in vivo biological functions of felid MHC genes is available. So far, no association studies have indicated effects of MHC genetic diversity on a particular disease. No information is available on the role of MHC class I molecules in interactions with Natural Killer (NK) cell receptors or on the putative evolutionary interactions (co-evolution) of the underlying genes. A comparison of complex genomic regions encoding NK cell receptors (the Leukocyte Receptor Complex, LRC and the Natural Killer Cell Complex, NKC) in the available felid genomes showed a higher variability in the NKC compared to the LRC and the MHC regions. Studies of the genetic diversity of domestic cat populations and/or specific breeds have focused mainly on DRB genes. Not surprisingly, higher levels of MHC diversity were observed in stray cats compared to pure breeds, as evaluated by DRB sequencing as well as by MHC-linked microsatellite typing. Immunogenetic analysis in wild felids has only been performed on MHC class I and II loci in tigers, Namibian leopards and cheetahs. This information is important as part of current conservation tasks to assess the adaptive potential of endangered wild species at the human-wildlife interface, which will be essential for preserving biodiversity in a functional ecosystem.

• Klíčová slova
• Felis catus, comparative genomics, conservation genetics, domestic cat, felidae, genetic diversity, major histocompatibility complex, natural killer cell receptor ligands,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The aim of this study was the direct detection of feline coronavirus by real-time PCR and by three different rapid immunochromatographic (RIM) tests detecting antigens in faecal samples of shelter cats. Based on sensitivity and specificity calculated for each of the RIM tests, the utility of RIM tests was compared. Seventy faecal samples originating from shelter cats housed in quarantine were examined. Out of 70 samples analyzed by real-time PCR, 44 (62.9%) were positive. Significantly more cats (p < 0.05) tested positive than negative. Neither age nor sex of the cats played a significant role (p > 0.05) in the shedding status of the virus. The sensitivity of the RIM tests was found to be at low (<35%; RIM tests A and C) to satisfactory level (>50%, RIM test B). The number of virus particles determined by real-time RT-PCR analysis did not significantly correlate with the results detected by any of the RIM tests (p > 0.05). The results of this study indicate that the use of rapid antigen RIM tests in routine screening of FCoV shedding status in shelter cats is limited due to the occurrence of a high number of false negative results.

• Klíčová slova
• feline coronavirus, rapid immunochromatographic test, shelter cat,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a complex pathogen causing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Host genetics represents a factor contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease. Differential susceptibility of various breeds to FIP was reported with controversial results. The objective of this study was to compare the genetic diversity of different breeds on a panel of candidate genes potentially affecting FCoV infection. One hundred thirteen cats of six breeds were genotyped on a panel of sixteen candidate genes. SNP allelic/haplotype frequencies were calculated; pairwise FST and molecular variance analyses were performed. Principal coordinate (PCoA) and STRUCTURE analyses were used to infer population structure. Interbreed differences in allele frequencies were observed. PCoA analysis performed for all genes of the panel indicated no population substructure. In contrast to the full marker set, PCoA of SNP markers associated with FCoV shedding (NCR1 and SLX4IP) showed three clusters containing only alleles associated with susceptibility to FCoV shedding, homozygotes and heterozygotes for the susceptibility alleles, and all three genotypes, respectively. Each cluster contained cats of multiple breeds. Three clusters of haplotypes were identified by PCoA, two clusters by STRUCTURE. Haplotypes of a single gene (SNX5) differed significantly between the PCoA clusters.

• Klíčová slova
• SNP, candidate genes, feline coronavirus (FCoV), interbreed differences, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA),
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH