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Heather Dunckley

Publications and source records attributed to Heather Dunckley.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diversity of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in Pacific Islands populations.

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the activity of NK and T cells through interaction with specific HLA class I molecules on target cells. To date, 16 KIR genes and pseudogenes have been identified. Diversity in KIR gene content and KIR allelic and haplotype polymorphism has been observed between different ethnic groups. Here, we present data on the KIR gene distribution in Pacific Islands populations. Sixteen KIR genes were observed in Pacific Islands populations from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, and Tonga. The majority of KIR genes were present at similar frequencies between the four populations with KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, and KIR3DP1 genes observed in all individuals. Commonly observed KIR genes in Pacific Islands populations (pooled frequencies) were KIR2DL1 (0.77), KIR2DL3 (0.77), KIR3DL1 (0.65), KIR3DL3 (0.93), KIR2DS4/1D (0.78), and KIR2DP1 (0.82), compared to the less-frequently observed KIR2DL2 (0.27), KIR2DL5 (0.30), KIR2DS1 (0.19), KIR2DS2 (0.27), KIR2DS3 (0.16), KIR2DS5 (0.17), and KIR3DS1 (0.18) genes. Differences in KIR gene frequency distributions were observed between the Pacific Islands populations and when compared to other populations. Sixty-nine different genotypes were identified, with five genotypes accounting for more then 50% of all genotypes observed. The number of genotypes observed in each population was similar in the Cook Islands, Samoan, and Tokelauan populations (19, 18, and 19, respectively), but 26 different genotypes were observed in Tongans. The putative haplotype A was predominantly observed over haplotype B in all Pacific Islands populations. Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed for a number of KIR gene pairs.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Does genotype mask the relationship between psychological factors and immune function?

This paper examined the interaction between genetic influences of the polymorphic human leukocyte antigens (DRB1 and DQB1) and psychological distress on the development of cellular immunity to the novel antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Participants (n = 227) were immunized with KLH and the development of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) against KLH was examined 3 weeks later. Distress was assessed using the Profile of Mood States. DNA was typed for the serologically defined DRB1 and DQB1 antigens. There was a significant correlation between distress at immunization and the development of DTH skin test responses to KLH (n = 214, r = .24, p = .003). HLA DQ2 was weakly associated with a decreased likelihood of developing a cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity response against KLH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; confidence interval [CI] 0.9-2.7). HLA DQ5 was weakly associated with an increased likelihood of responding to the antigen (OR=0.6; CI=0.3-1.0). The correlation between distress and immune function in HLA DQ2 negative individuals was .34 (n = 136, p = .00) and in HLA DQ2 positive individuals it was .06 (n = 74, p =. 64). For HLA DQ5 negative individuals the correlation was .26 (n = 140, p = .00) and for HLA DQ5 positive individuals it was .22 (n = 70, p = .07). These results suggest that the distress/immune relationship in genetically susceptible or protected individuals may be underestimated in psychoneuroimmunology research.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

Promiscuous CTL recognition of viral epitopes on multiple human leukocyte antigens: biological validation of the proposed HLA A24 supertype.

Multiple HLA class I alleles can bind peptides with common sequence motifs due to structural similarities in the peptide binding cleft, and these groups of alleles have been classified into supertypes. Nine major HLA supertypes have been proposed, including an A24 supertype that includes A*2301, A*2402, and A*3001. Evidence for this A24 supertype is limited to HLA sequence homology and/or similarity in peptide binding motifs for the alleles. To investigate the immunological relevance of this proposed supertype, we have examined two viral epitopes (from EBV and CMV) initially defined as HLA-A*2301-binding peptides. The data clearly demonstrate that each peptide could be recognized by CTL clones in the context of A*2301 or A*2402; thus validating the inclusion of these three alleles within an A24 supertype. Furthermore, CTL responses to the EBV epitope were detectable in both A*2301(+) and A*2402(+) individuals who had been previously exposed to this virus. These data substantiate the biological relevance of the A24 supertype, and the identification of viral epitopes with the capacity to bind promiscuously across this supertype could aid efforts to develop CTL-based vaccines or immunotherapy. The degeneracy in HLA restriction displayed by some T cells in this study also suggests that the dogma of self-MHC restriction needs some refinement to accommodate foreign peptide recognition in the context of multiple supertype alleles.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Passive transfer of nut allergy after liver transplantation.

An anaphylactic reaction to cashew nut developed in a nonatopic 60-year-old man 25 days after receiving a liver allograft from a 15-year-old atopic boy who died of anaphylaxis after peanut ingestion. The liver recipient had no history of nut allergy. Posttransplantation skin prick test results were positive for peanut, cashew nut, and sesame seed, and the donor had allergen-specific IgE antibodies to the same 3 allergens. Contact tracing of the recipients of other solid organs from the same donor disclosed no other development of allergic symptoms after ingestion of peanut or cashew nut. Results of molecular HLA typing did not detect any donor-origin leukocytes in the recipient after transplantation, which excluded peripheral microchimerism. The patient inadvertently ingested peanut-contaminated food and suffered a second anaphylactic reaction 32 weeks after the transplantation. This case illustrates that transfer of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity can occur after liver transplantation and have potentially serious consequences. We therefore recommend that organ donors undergo screening for allergies, and that recipients be advised regarding allergen avoidance.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2002

Description of a novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*1207.

A new DRB1 allele has been identified during routine HLA-DRB1 generic typing with sequence specific oligonucleotides. The new allele was confirmed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and subsequently sequenced. This showed the novel allele, named HLA-DRB1*1207, was similar in sequence to DRB1*12011, except for codon 69 of exon 2.

Alleles↗