What is it about?
T-cell receptors (TCRs), located on the surface of immune T-cells, bind to specific antigens (something recognised as foreign to the body). To recognise a vast number of potential antigens, each T-cell undergoes unique genetic recombinations at specific sites in the TCR gene. Sequencing these regions makes monitoring the diversity and proportion of each TCR possible, and represents an immune health measure of an individual. We report this characterisation of the dog immune system, identify features that affect the profile and the potential to monitor the health of an individual over time.
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Why is it important?
This work demonstrates that the individual animal, breed and age all impact the TCR repertoire. The ability to identify TCRs that change with individual health status and age, may help us better assess immune health, detect disease sooner and improve treatments to help dogs stay healthier longer.
Perspectives
The paper represents a real team effort in creating the capability to assess immune status of an individual over time. It required different expertise, resources, collaboration and determination through COVID. I'm very proud to have been involved in this foundational work, which opens up opportunities for improved health monitoring in our loyalist of friends.
Dr David Allaway
Mars Inc
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The canine T cell receptor repertoire, ImmunoHorizons, August 2025, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/immhor/vlaf040.
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