Project description:The objectives of this study were 2-fold: 1) to compare the expression profiles at specific ages of blood leukocytes from foals stimulated with virulent R. equi with those of unstimulated leukocytes; and, 2) to characterize the age-related changes in the gene expression profile associated with blood leukocytes in response to stimulation with virulent R. equi.
Project description:The objectives of this study were 2-fold: 1) to compare the expression profiles at specific ages of blood leukocytes from foals stimulated with virulent R. equi with those of unstimulated leukocytes; and, 2) to characterize the age-related changes in the gene expression profile associated with blood leukocytes in response to stimulation with virulent R. equi. Peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained from 6 foals within 24 hours (h) of birth (day 1) and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after birth. The samples were split, such that half were stimulated with live virulent R. equi, and the other half served as unstimulated control. For one hyb design: we hybridized 6 samples stimulated and 6 unstimulated at each time point (30 mL of blood was treated with live virulent R. equi (Strain ATCC 33701) and the remaining 30 mL of blood with PBS ). For time course: 6 samples from day1 stimulated hybridized to week2 stimulated; day1 stimulated hyb to week 4 stimulated and day1 stimulated hyb to week8 stimulated. RNA was extracted and the generated cDNA was labeled with fluorescent dyes for microarray hybridizations using an equine microarray.
Project description:The weaning process has been identified as being associated with stress, weight loss and stereotypies. To limit these problems, some breeders wean the foals gradually. This article presents the effects of a progressive weaning on various physiological parameters (cortisol, C reactive protein, length of telomeres) and on the blood transcriptome, among the foals and the mares. Results indicate that a progressive weaning has beneficial short-term effects in foals, and that in the longer term the foals weaned abruptly have compensated this gap. In mothers, the beneficial effects of the progressive weaning are less important.
Project description:The weaning process has been identified as being associated with stress, weight loss and stereotypies. To limit these problems, some breeders wean the foals gradually. This article presents the effects of a progressive weaning on various physiological parameters (cortisol, C reactive protein, length of telomeres) and on the blood transcriptome, among the foals and the mares. Results indicate that a progressive weaning has beneficial short-term effects in foals, and that in the longer term the foals weaned abruptly have compensated this gap. In mothers, the beneficial effects of the progressive weaning are less important.
Project description:Rhodococcus equi is an intracellular bacterium that affects young foals and immuno-compromised individuals causing severe pneumonia. Currently, the genetic mechanisms which confer susceptibility and or resistance to R. equi are not fully understood. Previously, using a SNP-based genome-wide association study, we identified a region on equine chromosome 26 associated with clinical pneumonia. To better characterize this region and understand the relationship of the SNPs associated with disease, we performed RNA-Seq on 12 horses representing the 3 allelic states of the SNP identified. Differential expression analyses identified differentially expressed genes in the innate immune response pathway when comparing homozygous A allele horses with the AB and BB horses. Isoform analyses of the RNA-Seq data predicted multiple transcripts with evidence of differential expression to exist at the TRPM2 locus. This finding is consistent with previously demonstrated work in human cell lines in which isoform specific expression of TRPM2 was critical to cell viability. This work demonstrates that SNPs in TRPM2 are associated with differences in gene expression, suggesting that modulation of expression of this innate immune gene contributes to susceptibility to R. equi pneumonia.
