This review will summarize the current knowledge of the genomics of the SLA region, dissect the polymorphisms of each locus and discuss the methods now used to more effectively identify these alleles. This review will end with studies of SLA gene regulation of swine disease responses, including recent data on PRRS resistance, and the importance of whole genome mapping efforts in determining disease and vaccine responses. It was found that the last decade has seen major progress in swine immunology and genetics and particularly in understanding the SLA complex, its genetic loci and the role of SLA in normal immunity and in infectious disease and vaccine responses. The stage is now set for
deeper probing of the role of SLA alleles and haplotypes in controlling these responses, for determining specific antigenic epitopes that stimulate immune and vaccine responses, and for identifying critical immune cell subsets and the exact SLA loci that facilitate cellular interactions for effective immune responses. Research using improved swine genome sequence and updated genomic and proteomic tools will reveal novel immune pathways regulated by SLA genes. In summary, the stage is now set for determining the critical role of SLA genes and proteins in swine biomedical models and in overall pig health and productivity.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0145305X