Unraveling the immune response in Gaddi dogs: transcriptomic profiling of CpG-stimulated PBMCs
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Authors
JASWINDER KAUR
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141 004, India
Keywords:
Apoptosis, CpG ODN, Gaddi dogs, Immune responses, PANTHER, TranscriptomeAbstract
The Gaddi dog, an indigenous breed from the Himalayan region, demonstrates remarkable adaptability to the region's rugged terrain and climate. Characterized by its cognitive abilities, agility, and innate loyalty, the breed is well-suited for herding and guarding, displaying evolutionary adaptations that enable its survival and functionality in mountainous environments. This study aimed to investigate the differential transcriptomic profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Gaddi dogs in response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), a ligand for Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9), to elucidate the immune responses associated with bacterial infections. PBMCs from Gaddi dogs were stimulated with the TLR-9 ligand, and RNA sequencing was performed using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The expression data were analyzed using various bioinformatics tools. The differentially expressed
genes (DEGs) were identified based on a log fold change (logFC) threshold of ≥3 or ≤-3, with a significance level of p-value ≤ 0.05. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway databases such as KEGG, Reactome, and PANTHER to explore the biological processes and pathways involved. The transcriptomic analysis revealed 1,072 DEGs, with 506 genes upregulated and 566 downregulated. The enriched pathways were associated with transcriptional regulation, immune modulation, cell survival, and stress responses, including autophagy, apoptosis regulation, viral and bacterial infection, and inflammation. The findings indicated a finely tuned regulation of immune responses in the Gaddi dog, highlighting breed-specific adaptations. This study represents the first transcriptomic analysis of immune responses in the Gaddi dog, providing a foundation for further research into its genetic potential and its ecological role within the Himalayan ecosystem.
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