Differential gene expression of high and low immune responder Canadian Holstein dairy cows.

Infectious diseases are an important cause of economic loss in the agri-food business. This study investigates indicators of bovine high (HR) and low (LR) immune response and their associated patterns of gene expression. Holstein cows were immunized to induce antibody (AMIR) and cell-mediated (CMIR) immune responses. Based on the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), cows were ranked as HR, LR or average (AR) immune responders. For microarray analysis, phenotypic HR and LR status in both groups was confirmed and total RNA from blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) was obtained. RNA from a pool of AR cows was used as a common reference for hybridization to an in-house cDNAmicroarray. Results of microarray analysis showed transcriptional differences in several immune-related genes between the HR and LR groups. Genes identified as differentially expressed include transcription factors, cytokines, MHC, and TCR-related genes. These results can aid in the establishmentof selection programmes based on broad-based disease resistance, aimed at improving general health in cattle herds.

CDNA microarray analysis of gene expression patterns in blood mononuclear cells of SLA-DRB1-defined Yorkshire pigs.

Three lines of commercialYorkshire pigs with defined SLA-DRB1 alleles were developed at the University of Guelph for xenotransplantation and immune response studies. Two of the SLA-DRB1 alleles have been previously reported (SLA-DRB1*0502 and *0701), whereas the third one is a new allele. The influence of defined SLA-DRB1 alleles on transcriptional patterns of immune-related genes in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) of pigs was explored using cDNA microarray. Microarray analysis showed significant differential expression of inflammatory genes in association with the various SLA-DRB1 alleles. A better understanding of the association between SLA genotypes and gene activity can increase the knowledge of the function of these molecules, as well as define new strategies to control animal health and optimize animal production.

Sex chromosome chimerism and the freemartin syndrome in Rideau Arcott sheep.

In cattle, nearly all heifers born co-twin to a male are freemartins, XX/XY chimeras that exhibit a characteristic masculinized phenotype. However, in sheep, while litters containing males and females are common, freemartins are relatively rare. The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency and features of XX/XY chimerism in female Rideau Arcott sheep. Also, breeding records were used to investigate the effect of litter size and sex ratios, as well as the genetic basis of the condition. Finally, the migration and transcriptional competence of cells of the opposite sex in the XX/XY female and male chimeras was explored. Genomic DNA (gDNA) from peripheral blood cells of ewes was screened by PCR for the male-specific SRY gene. Of 230 lambs screened, 10 were identified as chimeras. Litter size and sex ratio showed no statistically significant effect on the frequency of chimerism. PCR and FISH analysis confirmed the presence of opposite sex cells in female and male chimeras, and in the case of ewes, their migration to tissues other than blood. Transcriptional activity of SRY and AMH was detected in gonads of ewes, whereas XIST expression was detected in white blood cells of chimeric rams. It was concluded that the frequency of sex chromosome chimerism in Rideau Arcott sheep is estimated at 4.35%, with no significant effect of litter size and sex ratio. Moreover, as it was shown that opposite sex cells can migrate to tissues other than blood and be transcriptionally active in chimeric sheep, we speculate on the role they can play in these animals.

The impact of chromosomal alteration on embryo development.

Chromosome alterations, such as those affecting telomere erosion, predictably occur with each cell division, others, which involve changes to the expression and replication of the X-chromosome occur at particular stages of development, while those that involve loss or gain of chromosomes occur in a random and so far unpredictable manner. The production of embryos in vitro and by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been associated with altered expression of marker genes on the X-chromosome and an increased incidence of chromosomally abnormal cells during early development. In the case of SCNT embryos chromosome abnormalities may be associated with the nuclear donor cell. Telomere rebuilding subsequent to SCNT appears to vary according to species and type of donor cell used. It is speculated that the rate of telomere erosion and incidence of chromosome abnormalities affects developmental potential of early embryos and may be potential predictors of developmental outcome.

Differences in the pattern of X-linked gene expression between fetal bovine muscle and fibroblast cultures derived from the same muscle biopsies.

The sex determination system in mammals creates an imbalance between males and females in the number of X chromosomes. This imbalance is compensated through transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female diploid cells by epigenetic modifications. Although common for mammals, X inactivation shows marked species-specific differences in mechanisms and end results, and provides a unique opportunity to study epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The aim of the present study was to establish the expression pattern of selected X-linked genes in bovine fetal muscle tissue and muscle fibroblast cultures in order to follow possible modifications at the transcriptional level attributable to in vitro culture. We used heterologous cDNA microarray hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR to study the pattern of expression of X-linked genes including SLC25A6, GAB3, MECP2, RPS4X, JARID1C, UBE1, BIRC4 and SLC16A2. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis in fetal bovine muscle showed higher transcript levels in females for all X-linked genes tested with the exception of SLC25A6, with differences being significant for RPS4X, JARID1C and UBE1. The expression in fibroblast cultures derived from the same samples differed, with significantly higher levels for UBE1, GAB3 and BIRC4, while the rest of the panel of X-linked genes remained unchanged. The changed expression pattern in vitro, probably reflecting modifications in the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate transcriptional activity and gene silencing in X inactivation, has important implications for the advancement of new biotechnologies such as somatic cell nuclear transfer and stem cell therapy.