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Shao Y, Wang XB, Zhang ML, Liu Y, Wang S, Zhang BL, Yang MM, Yang MH, Jia T, Pu TC, Lu Y, Liu H, Xu Z, Li B, Liu N, Onsongo VM, Wu DD, Zhang CL, Ruan J, Li Y. Long-read genome sequencing provides molecular insights into scavenging and societal complexity in spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6509522. [PMID: 35038730 PMCID: PMC8890499 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a large and unique terrestrial carnivore. It is a particularly fascinating species due to its distinct phenotypic traits, especially its complex social structure and scavenging lifestyle, with associated high dietary exposure to microbial pathogens. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to these phenotypes remain elusive. Here, we sequenced and assembled a high-quality long-read genome of the spotted hyena, with a contig N50 length of ∼13.75 Mb. Based on comparative genomics, immunoglobulin family members (e.g., IGKV4-1) showed significant adaptive duplications in the spotted hyena and striped hyena. Furthermore, immune-related genes (e.g., CD8A, LAG3, and TLR3) experienced species-specific positive selection in the spotted hyena lineage. These results suggest that immune tolerance between the spotted hyena and closely related striped hyena has undergone adaptive divergence to cope with prolonged dietary exposure to microbial pathogens from scavenging. Furthermore, we provided the potential genetic insights underlying social complexity, hinting at social behavior and cognition. Specifically, the RECNE-associated genes (e.g., UGP2 and ACTR2) in the spotted hyena genome are involved in regulation of social communication. Taken together, our genomic analyses provide molecular insights into the scavenging lifestyle and societal complexity of spotted hyenas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Wang
- Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China.,State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Mei-Ling Zhang
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, 650022, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Bao-Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Min-Min Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | | | - Ting Jia
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | | | - Yan Lu
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - He Liu
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Bo Li
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Beijing Zoo, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Violet Magoma Onsongo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | | | - Jue Ruan
- Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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Ferreira SCM, Veiga MM, Hofer H, East ML, Czirják GÁ. Noninvasively measured immune responses reflect current parasite infections in a wild carnivore and are linked to longevity. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:7685-7699. [PMID: 34188844 PMCID: PMC8216923 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Host immune defenses are important components of host-parasite interactions that affect the outcome of infection and may have fitness consequences for hosts when increased allocation of resources to immune responses undermines other essential life processes. Research on host-parasite interactions in large free-ranging wild mammals is currently hampered by a lack of verified noninvasive assays. We successfully adapted existing assays to measure innate and adaptive immune responses produced by the gastrointestinal mucosa in spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) feces, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), to quantify fecal immunoglobulins (total IgA, total IgG) and total fecal O-linked oligosaccharides (mucin). We investigated the effect of infection load by an energetically costly hookworm (Ancylostoma), parasite richness, host age, sex, year of sampling, and clan membership on immune responses and asked whether high investment in immune responses during early life affects longevity in individually known spotted hyenas in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Fecal concentrations of IgA, IgG, and mucin increased with Ancylostoma egg load and were higher in juveniles than in adults. Females had higher mucin concentrations than males. Juvenile females had higher IgG concentrations than juvenile males, whereas adult females had lower IgG concentrations than adult males. High IgA concentrations during the first year of life were linked to reduced longevity after controlling for age at sampling and Ancylostoma egg load. Our study demonstrates that the use of noninvasive methods can increase knowledge on the complex relationship between gastrointestinal parasites and host local immune responses in wild large mammals and reveal fitness-relevant effects of these responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana C. M. Ferreira
- Department of Ecological DynamicsLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
- Present address:
Division of Computational Systems BiologyCentre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems ScienceViennaAustria
| | - Miguel M. Veiga
- Department of Ecological DynamicsLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
| | - Heribert Hofer
- Department of Ecological DynamicsLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
- Department of Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and PharmacyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Marion L. East
- Department of Ecological DynamicsLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
| | - Gábor Á. Czirják
- Department of Wildlife DiseasesLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
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Minamiki T, Sasaki Y, Su S, Minami T. Development of polymer field-effect transistor-based immunoassays. Polym J 2018. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-018-0112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Higgitt RL, Buss PE, van Helden PD, Miller MA, Parsons SDC. Development of gene expression assays measuring immune responses in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2017.1309300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne L Higgitt
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for TB Research/Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Peter E Buss
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, South Africa
| | - Paul D van Helden
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for TB Research/Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Michele A Miller
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for TB Research/Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Sven DC Parsons
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for TB Research/Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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Minamiki T, Minami T, Sasaki Y, Kurita R, Niwa O, Wakida SI, Tokito S. An Organic Field-effect Transistor with an Extended-gate Electrode Capable of Detecting Human Immunoglobulin A. ANAL SCI 2016; 31:725-8. [PMID: 26165299 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.31.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We herein report on the development of an extended-gate type organic field-effect transistor (OFET)-based immunosensor for the detection of human immunoglobulin A (IgA). The titration results of IgA exhibited shifts in the transfer characteristics of the OFET sensor device with increasing IgA concentration. A linear detection range from 0 to 10 μg/mL was realized with a detection limit of 2.1 μg/mL, indicating that the OFET-based immunosensor can be potentially applied to the monitoring of infectious diseases and psychological stress in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukuru Minamiki
- Research Center for Organic Electronics (ROEL), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University
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Flies AS, Mansfield LS, Flies EJ, Grant CK, Holekamp KE. Socioecological predictors of immune defences in wild spotted hyenas. Funct Ecol 2016; 30:1549-1557. [PMID: 27833242 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Social rank can profoundly affect many aspects of mammalian reproduction and stress physiology, but little is known about how immune function is affected by rank and other socio-ecological factors in free-living animals.In this study we examine the effects of sex, social rank, and reproductive status on immune function in long-lived carnivores that are routinely exposed to a plethora of pathogens, yet rarely show signs of disease.Here we show that two types of immune defenses, complement-mediated bacterial killing capacity (BKC) and total IgM, are positively correlated with social rank in wild hyenas, but that a third type, total IgG, does not vary with rank.Female spotted hyenas, which are socially dominant to males in this species, have higher BKC, and higher IgG and IgM concentrations, than do males.Immune defenses are lower in lactating than pregnant females, suggesting the immune defenses may be energetically costly.Serum cortisol and testosterone concentrations are not reliable predictors of basic immune defenses in wild female spotted hyenas.These results suggest that immune defenses are costly and multiple socioecological variables are important determinants of basic immune defenses among wild hyenas. Effects of these variables should be accounted for when attempting to understand disease ecology and immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, U.S.A; Interdisciplinary program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Linda S Mansfield
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Emily J Flies
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Chris K Grant
- Custom Monoclonals International Corp, West Sacramento, CA 95691, USA
| | - Kay E Holekamp
- Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, U.S.A; Interdisciplinary program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Lack of Spatial Immunogenetic Structure among Wolverine (Gulo gulo) Populations Suggestive of Broad Scale Balancing Selection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140170. [PMID: 26448462 PMCID: PMC4598017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the adaptive genetic potential of wildlife populations to environmental selective pressures is fundamental for species conservation. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are highly polymorphic, and play a key role in the adaptive immune response against pathogens. MHC polymorphism has been linked to balancing selection or heterogeneous selection promoting local adaptation. However, spatial patterns of MHC polymorphism are also influenced by gene flow and drift. Wolverines are highly vagile, inhabiting varied ecoregions that include boreal forest, taiga, tundra, and high alpine ecosystems. Here, we investigated the immunogenetic variation of wolverines in Canada as a surrogate for identifying local adaptation by contrasting the genetic structure at MHC relative to the structure at 11 neutral microsatellites to account for gene flow and drift. Evidence of historical positive selection was detected at MHC using maximum likelihood codon-based methods. Bayesian and multivariate cluster analyses revealed weaker population genetic differentiation at MHC relative to the increasing microsatellite genetic structure towards the eastern wolverine distribution. Mantel correlations of MHC against geographical distances showed no pattern of isolation by distance (IBD: r = -0.03, p = 0.9), whereas for microsatellites we found a relatively strong and significant IBD (r = 0.54, p = 0.01). Moreover, we found a significant correlation between microsatellite allelic richness and the mean number of MHC alleles, but we did not observe low MHC diversity in small populations. Overall these results suggest that MHC polymorphism has been influenced primarily by balancing selection and to a lesser extent by neutral processes such as genetic drift, with no clear evidence for local adaptation. This study contributes to our understanding of how vulnerable populations of wolverines may respond to selective pressures across their range.
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Flies AS, Mansfield LS, Grant CK, Weldele ML, Holekamp KE. Markedly Elevated Antibody Responses in Wild versus Captive Spotted Hyenas Show that Environmental and Ecological Factors Are Important Modulators of Immunity. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137679. [PMID: 26444876 PMCID: PMC4621877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary processes have shaped the vertebrate immune system over time, but proximal mechanisms control the onset, duration, and intensity of immune responses. Based on testing of the hygiene hypothesis, it is now well known that microbial exposure is important for proper development and regulation of the immune system. However, few studies have examined the differences between wild animals in their natural environments, in which they are typically exposed to a wide array of potential pathogens, and their conspecifics living in captivity. Wild spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are regularly exposed to myriad pathogens, but there is little evidence of disease-induced mortality in wild hyena populations, suggesting that immune defenses are robust in this species. Here we assessed differences in immune defenses between wild spotted hyenas that inhabit their natural savanna environment and captive hyenas that inhabit a captive environment where pathogen control programs are implemented. Importantly, the captive population of spotted hyenas was derived directly from the wild population and has been in captivity for less than four generations. Our results show that wild hyenas have significantly higher serum antibody concentrations, including total IgG and IgM, natural antibodies, and autoantibodies than do captive hyenas; there was no difference in the bacterial killing capacity of sera collected from captive and wild hyenas. The striking differences in serum antibody concentrations observed here suggest that complementing traditional immunology studies, with comparative studies of wild animals in their natural environment may help to uncover links between environment and immune function, and facilitate progress towards answering immunological questions associated with the hygiene hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Linda S. Mansfield
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Chris K. Grant
- Custom Monoclonals International Corp, West Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Mary L. Weldele
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Kay E. Holekamp
- Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
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Flies AS, Maksimoski MT, Mansfield LS, Weldele ML, Holekamp KE. Characterization of Toll-like receptors 1-10 in spotted hyenas. Vet Res Commun 2014; 38:165-70. [PMID: 24488231 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-014-9592-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) regularly survive exposure to deadly pathogens such as rabies, canine distemper virus, and anthrax, suggesting that they have robust immune defenses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize conserved molecular patterns and initiate a wide range of innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR genes are evolutionarily conserved, and assessing TLR expression in various tissues can provide insight into overall immunological organization and function. Studies of the hyena immune system have been minimal thus far due to the logistical and ethical challenges of sampling and preserving the immunological tissues of this and other long-lived, wild species. Tissue samples were opportunistically collected from captive hyenas humanely euthanized for a separate study. We developed primers to amplify partial sequences for TLRs 1-10, sequenced the amplicons, compared sequence identity to those in other mammals, and quantified TLR expression in lymph nodes, spleens, lungs, and pancreases. Results show that hyena TLR DNA and protein sequences are similar to TLRs in other mammals, and that TLRs 1-10 were expressed in all tissues tested. This information will be useful in the development of new assays to understand the interactions among the hyena immune system, pathogens, and the microbial communities that inhabit hyenas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Flies
- Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1317, USA,
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