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.
Project description:Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is a major pathogen which cause strangles, a highly contagious respiratory infection, in horses and other equines. In this study, we purified the extracellular vesicles (EVs) of S. equi ATCC 39506 and evaluated them as vaccine candidates against S. equi infections in mice. Through immunization in an animal model and immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, we evaluated EV as vaccine candidates against S. equi infections and identified novel immunogenic proteins.
Project description:Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (SEE) is a host-restricted bacterium that causes the common infectious upper respiratory disease known as strangles in horses. Perpetuation of SEE infection appears attributable to inapparent carrier horses because it does not persist long-term in the environment, infect other host mammals or vectors, and result in short-lived immunity. Whether pathogen factors enable SEE to remain in horses without causing clinical signs remains poorly understood. Thus, our objective was to use next-generation sequencing technologies to characterize the transcriptome of isolates of SEE from horses with acute clinical strangles and inapparent carrier horses to assess pathogen-associated changes that might reflect adaptions of SEE to the host contributing to inapparent carriage. RNA sequencing of SEE isolates from Pennsylvania demonstrated no genes that were differentially expressed between acute clinical and inapparent carrier isolates of SEE.
Project description:The purpose of this experiment was to further our understanding of gene expression in the central nervous system (thalamus and cerebrum) after exposure to West Nile virus. To that end, three different analyses were performed. The first examined differences in gene expression between horses not vaccinated and exposed to WNV and normal control horses (exposure). The second examined differences in gene expression between horses not vaccinated and exposed to WNV and horses vaccinated and exposed to WNV (survival). And the third examined differences between the nonvaccinated cerebrum and nonvaccinated thalamus of horses exposed to WNV (location). Six conditions- Gene expression in the thalamus and cerebrum of three different groups of horses (Non-vaccinated horses exposed to West Nile virus, Vaccinated horses exposed to West Nile virus, normal horses not exposed to West Nile virus). Biological replicates- 6 normal cerebrums, 6 normal thalamus, 6 vaccinated and exposed cerebrums, 6 vaccinated and exposed thalamus, 6 non-vaccinated and exposed cerebrum, 6 non-vaccinated and exposed thalamus.
Project description:Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is a major pathogen which cause strangles, a highly contagious respiratory infection, in horses and other equines.In this study, we discovered potential vaccine candidates using comprehensive proteomics and reverse vaccinology. As the initial step, we divided proteome of S. equi ATCC 39506 into whole cell lysate, secretory proteome, membrane proteome and extracellular vesicle and then, comparative proteomic analysis was performed to characterize the functional features of the proteome. Especially, extracellular vesicle of S. equi was evaluated at the first time. Total 114 potential vaccine candidates (PVCs) were selected using reverse vaccinology and knowledge based annotations. Comprehensive proteomic analysis confirmed that 60 PVCs were identified in S. equi ATCC 39506. Particularly, 32 PVCs were enriched in the EV proteome, suggesting that this cellular fraction may serve as vaccine.
Project description:The purpose of this experiment was to further our understanding of gene expression in the central nervous system (thalamus and cerebrum) after exposure to West Nile virus. To that end, three different analyses were performed. The first examined differences in gene expression between horses not vaccinated and exposed to WNV and normal control horses (exposure). The second examined differences in gene expression between horses not vaccinated and exposed to WNV and horses vaccinated and exposed to WNV (survival). And the third examined differences between the nonvaccinated cerebrum and nonvaccinated thalamus of horses exposed to WNV (location).
Project description:Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, strain 1691 grown on COBA streptococcal selective agar shows classical mucoid colony morphology in addition to a reduced capsule phenotype. This project aimed to identify changes in the transcriptional profile between the two morphologies.
Project description:The brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is threatened in parts of its native range in Australia, but has also become a devastating mammalian pest following introduction into New Zealand from the mid 1800s. We have completed the first chromosome-level assembly of the possum genome and, using nuclear and mitochondrial analyses, traced southern New Zealand possums to distinct Tasmanian and mainland Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture is reflected in high levels of genetic diversity within New Zealand populations despite a founding bottleneck. Functional genomics revealed unique adaptations to altricial birth and extending weaning, including novel chemo-sensory genes, and at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We found that reprogramming of possum germline imprints and the wider epigenome was similar to eutherian mammals, except onset occurs after birth. Together, our data and analysis is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits such as germline methylation erasure and genomic imprinting.