The accurate measurement of the immune repertoire is important for understanding the repertoire response in infections, vaccinations and cancer immunology. Creative Biolabs has established a high-throughput Magic™ sequencing platform for large-scale sequencing services. Our scientists developed an advanced approach to defining the immunoglobulin repertoire of feline by analyzing complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the heavy chain. The data will provide significant insight into understanding the feline immune system function.

Background

The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has made antibody repertoire sequencing feasible and affordable. The profiling of entire antibody repertoires offers new possibilities for studying whole antibody repertoires of individuals. These sequencing approaches, combined with bioinformatics, allow us to study and compare individuals. It also allows the precise determination of entire antibody lineages. In the last decades, increasing interest has been aroused in the cat as a model for specific diseases. The feline immune system, similar to canine or human immune system, generates antibody diversity by V (D) J recombination. In the recombination process, a diverse assortment of variable genes (V), diversity (D) genes and joining (J) genes are recombined to create an antibody variable domain. Further post-recombination processes like insertion and deletion of nucleotides and somatic hypermutation can considerably increase the diversity of the variable region. Felines show the mammalian organization of the IGH genome and the IG locus has been described previously. Domestic cats (Felis catus) have been studied in detail immunologically; however, the actual, expressed feline antibody repertoire has not been characterized. Although Felis catus has the same IGHV gene structure as Canidae family, the feline IGHV locus is largely devoid of orthologs. Simultaneously, they are an unrivaled platform for engineering highly effective diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for companion animals.

Fig.1 Variability plot of the variable domains of feline IgG heavy chain, Ig lambda and Ig kappa chain sequences.¹

Feline (Cat) BCR Repertoire Profiling Service

Creative Biolabs has developed an effective strategy for the comprehensive characterization of the feline immunoglobulin repertoire. The procedure mainly consists of (1) isolation and quantitation of total RNA, (2) cDNA synthesis and generation of feline IGH and IGL amplicons, and (3) deep sequencing of feline V_H and V_L gene repertoires on our high-throughput Magic™ BCR repertoire analysis platform. The bioinformatics analysis includes gene usage, length distribution of V_H and CDR amino acid distribution and variability by position. With this stringency, poorer quality sequences will not merge and all non-merging paired reads will be discarded. This strategy is an important channel for the identification of high-affinity and feline antibodies.

Key advantages including but not limited to:

• Especially for feline immunoglobulin repertoire
• Efficient identification of high-affinity and feline antibodies
• Advanced Magic™ BCR repertoire analysis platform
• Competitive and affordable price

With years of research and development experience in the field of immunology, Creative Biolabs has owned a group of seasoned scientists. We can provide the high-quality service for the comprehensive characterization of feline immunoglobulin repertoire. We are pleased to share our extensive experiences with our global clients and facilitate their meaningful immune repertoire research.

For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or directly sent us an inquiry.

Diverse Species of Our Unbiased BCR Repertoire Profiling

• Zebrafish Antibody Repertoire Analysis
• Alpaca BCR Repertoire Profiling
• Canine BCR Repertoire Profiling
• Rabbit BCR Repertoire Profiling
• Swine BCR Repertoire Profiling

Applications of Our Unbiased BCR Repertoire Profiling

• B Cell Clones Identification
• Novel Alleles Identification
• SHM Patterns Analysis

FAQ

1. What is feline BCR repertoire profiling

   Feline BCR repertoire profiling refers to the process of analyzing the diversity and structure of B cell receptors (BCRs) in cats. This technique provides insights into the immune system by identifying different B cell clones and their responses to infections, diseases, or vaccinations. It is a valuable tool for understanding immune functions, disease mechanisms, and developing better treatments for feline-specific health issues.

2. How can feline BCR repertoire profiling help in modeling human diseases

   Feline BCR repertoire profiling can be an effective model for studying immune-related human diseases, such as viral infections and cancers, due to the similarities between feline and human immune systems. Cats naturally develop diseases like FIV (similar to HIV) and leukemia, making them an ideal model for understanding the B cell immune response and for developing treatments relevant to both species.

3. Why is the cat considered a good model for studying human viral infections

   Cats are susceptible to certain viral infections like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which shares similarities with HIV in humans. By profiling the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire in FIV-infected cats, researchers can study immune responses to chronic viral infections and draw parallels to human diseases, helping to understand disease progression and informing the development of vaccines or antiviral therapies.

4. What role does feline BCR repertoire profiling play in cancer research

   Feline BCR repertoire profiling is valuable for cancer research because cats, like humans, spontaneously develop cancers such as lymphoma. Studying B cell responses in these cats helps researchers explore tumor-immune interactions, immune evasion, and the effectiveness of potential immunotherapies. The immune responses in cats can mirror human cancer progression, making this model useful for translating findings to human cancer treatments.

5. How does feline BCR repertoire profiling aid in studying autoimmune diseases

   Feline BCR repertoire profiling helps model autoimmune diseases because cats exhibit autoimmune conditions similar to those in humans, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Profiling the B cell responses in these conditions allows researchers to identify auto-reactive clones and study disease mechanisms, providing insights that can be translated into understanding human autoimmune disorders and developing therapies.

6. How does feline BCR repertoire profiling contribute to vaccine development for zoonotic diseases

   Feline BCR repertoire profiling is used to study zoonotic diseases that affect both cats and humans, such as certain coronaviruses. By analyzing the B cell response in cats, researchers can develop better vaccines that might be applicable to both species. Cats serve as an excellent model for understanding cross-species immune responses to infections and aiding the design of more effective vaccines.

7. Can feline BCR repertoire profiling be applied to neurodegenerative disease research

   Feline models are increasingly used to study neurodegenerative diseases, which may involve immune dysfunction. BCR repertoire profiling can help uncover B cell involvement in neurodegenerative processes in cats, which in turn can shed light on similar mechanisms in human diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. This cross-species analysis can facilitate new approaches to managing neurodegenerative conditions.

8. What are the limitations of using feline BCR repertoire profiling in disease modeling

   While feline BCR repertoire profiling provides valuable insights, there are limitations, such as species-specific differences in immune system architecture and B cell receptor diversity. Additionally, the availability of feline-specific reagents and bioinformatics tools may limit the depth of analysis compared to human models. Despite these challenges, cats remain a valuable model for specific diseases shared with humans.

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