Effects of an IgE receptor polymorphism acting on immunity, susceptibility to infection, and reproduction in a wild rodent

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.77666
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16T12:00:21Z
• Authors: Klara M Wanelik; Mike Begon; Janette E Bradley; Ida M Friberg; Joseph A Jackson; Christopher H Taylor; Steve Paterson
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Genotype; QH301-705.5; Science; Rodentia; Fcer1a; phenotypic expression; 03 medical and health sciences; sex; Animals; Biology (General); 0303 health sciences; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptors, IgE; Reproduction; Q; R; Genetics and Genomics; inflammatory response; 3. Good health; Haplotypes; Microtus agrestis; Medicine; Female

The genotype of an individual is important predictor their immune function, and subsequently, ability to control or avoid infection ultimately contribute offspring the next generation. However, same genotype, subjected different intrinsic and/or extrinsic environments, can also result in phenotypic outcomes, which be missed controlled laboratory studies. Natural wildlife populations, capture both genotypic environmental variability, provide opportunity more fully understand expression genetic variation. We identified a synonymous polymorphism high-affinity Immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (GC non-GC haplotypes) that has sex-dependent effects on gene expression, susceptibility infection, reproductive success individuals natural population field voles (Microtus agrestis). found effect GC haplotype genes differed between sexes. Regardless sex, pro-inflammatory anti-inflammatory were highly relatively expressed with than without haplotype. males showed stronger signal for genes, while females genes. Furthermore, we probability common microparasite, Babesia microti, - carrying being likely infected. Finally, having lower success. This rare example whose consequences are able follow across immunity, reproduction population.