Masters Degrees (Haematology and Cell Biology)
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Masters Degrees (Haematology and Cell Biology) by Author "Coetzee, Marius"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access "Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor haplotype diversity in three Free State population groups"(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Louw, Marius; De Kock, André; Louw, Vernon; Coetzee, MariusEnglish: In the foregoing project, an investigation was made into the relative KIR gene frequencies of three South African cohorts. Playing an important part in innate immunity, KIR fill a vital gap between viral onsets and cell mediated humeral immunity. Being able to sense when cells are abnormal, NK cells possess the ability to destroy cells which show altered HLA molecules during KIR/HLA interaction. Ethnic cohorts that were investigated included African black, mixed ancestry and the Caucasian populations. From these individuals DNA material was extracted using a “salting out” method before SSP-PCR genotyping. Seventeen primer pairs were used in the identification of individual KIR genes. PCR products were electrophoresed against a molecular weight marker in order to verify the correct fragment size. Products were viewed on a UV light where observations were noted, and indicated as present or absent. Data was recorded onto a spreadsheet indicating the absence or presence of each particular gene. Tabulated results were used in the construction of graphs as well as χ2 calculations. These graphs were used in the critical analysis of linkage disequilibrium as well as comparative analysis between the ethnic cohorts. Findings indicate that all framework genes are present in all cohorts. The Black African and mixed ancestry cohorts have not been genotyped for the KIR genes before. Investigation within non-framework genes revealed the identification of several new haplotypes, with the majority observed within the mixed ancestry cohort. Positive linkage disequilibrium was detected between 2DL2-2DS2 and 2DL5B-2DS5 for both the black African and Caucasian cohorts while 2DL1-2DL2 and 2DL5B- 2DS5 linkages were found in the mixed ancestry population. No negative linkages were observed for any of the three cohorts.