Genetic Basis of Variable Expression of Glycan Xeno-Autoantigens by Cattle

来自牛的肉类和乳制品含有非人类制造的糖结构(糖类)。这些结构可以被免疫系统识别，并导致过敏反应、炎症和潜在的癌症。这些非人类结构被称为异种自身抗原或XAS。我们已经发现了不产生这种XA的个别牛。我们将研究在没有XA的牛身上产生XA所需的基因，以找到潜在的突变。同样的方法将被用于在其他食物物种中寻找天然的不含XA的个体。这一知识可能使我们能够创建一种测试，以促进非转基因、不含XA的家畜的自然繁殖，从而使澳大利亚的初级生产者受益，并为消费者提供更安全的食品。

Meat and dairy products from cattle contain sugar structures (glycans) that are not made by humans. These structures can be recognised by the immune system and lead to allergic reactions, inflammation and potentially cancer. These non-human structures are called xeno-autoantigens or XAs. We have discovered individual cattle that do not produce one of these XAs. We will study the gene required to make XA in the XA-free cattle to find the underlying mutation. The same approach will be used to look for natural XA-free individuals in other food species. This knowledge may enable us to create a test to facilitate the natural breeding of non-GMO, XA-free livestock to benefit Australian primary producers and provide safer food for consumers.