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Ramos Z, Garrick DJ, Blair HT, Vera B, Ciappesoni G, Kenyon PR. Genomic Regions Associated with Wool, Growth and Reproduction Traits in Uruguayan Merino Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:167. [PMID: 36672908 PMCID: PMC9858812 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions and genes associated with the fiber diameter (FD), clean fleece weight (CFW), live weight (LW), body condition score (BCS), pregnancy rate (PR) and lambing potential (LP) of Uruguayan Merino sheep. Phenotypic records of approximately 2000 mixed-age ewes were obtained from a Merino nucleus flock. Genome-wide association studies were performed utilizing single-step Bayesian analysis. For wool traits, a total of 35 genomic windows surpassed the significance threshold (PVE ≥ 0.25%). The proportion of the total additive genetic variance explained by those windows was 4.85 and 9.06% for FD and CFW, respectively. There were 42 windows significantly associated with LWM, which collectively explained 43.2% of the additive genetic variance. For BCS, 22 relevant windows accounted for more than 40% of the additive genetic variance, whereas for the reproduction traits, 53 genomic windows (24 and 29 for PR and LP, respectively) reached the suggestive threshold of 0.25% of the PVE. Within the top 10 windows for each trait, we identified several genes showing potential associations with the wool (e.g., IGF-1, TGFB2R, PRKCA), live weight (e.g., CAST, LAP3, MED28, HERC6), body condition score (e.g., CDH10, TMC2, SIRPA, CPXM1) or reproduction traits (e.g., ADCY1, LEPR, GHR, LPAR2) of the mixed-age ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zully Ramos
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Dorian J. Garrick
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Hugh T. Blair
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Brenda Vera
- National Research Program on Meat and Wool Production, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Las Brujas, Ruta 48 Km 10, Canelones 90100, Uruguay
| | - Gabriel Ciappesoni
- National Research Program on Meat and Wool Production, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Las Brujas, Ruta 48 Km 10, Canelones 90100, Uruguay
| | - Paul R. Kenyon
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
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Cui Y, Wang C, Liu L, Liu N, He J. Expression and distribution of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 in Aohan fine-wool sheep skin. Arch Anim Breed 2022; 65:11-19. [PMID: 35047658 PMCID: PMC8759078 DOI: 10.5194/aab-65-11-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the expression and
distribution of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 genes in the development and morphogenesis of hair
follicles in fine-wool sheep. The results could lay a theoretical basis for
understanding the molecular mechanism that regulates hair follicle
development. The skin of Aohan fine-wool sheep at different developmental
stages (embryonic day 90, E90d, and 120, E120d, and postnatal day 1, B1d,
and 30, B30d) were selected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to
study the levels of mRNA and proteins, respectively. The RT-qPCR results
showed that the mRNA expression level of EPHA4 at B1d was significantly lower
than at E120d (p<0.01). The expression of Ephrin A3 at E120d was
significantly higher than that at E90d and B1d (p<0.01).
Immunohistochemical detection results showed that the level and localisation
of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 proteins had spatial and temporal specificity. EPHA4 expression in dermal
papilla cells might be important for inducing Aohan fine-hair follicle
regeneration and for controlling the properties of the hair. Ephrin A3 might play an
important role in the redifferentiation of secondary hair follicles and
might also be involved in the inhibition of apoptosis-related gene
expression in hair follicles. The Ephrin A3 signalling pathway might accelerate the
growth of fine-hair follicles and increase the density of hair follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural
University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China
| | - Chunliang Wang
- Nanchang police dog base of the Ministry of public security,
Nanchang, Jiangxi 330100, China
| | - Lirong Liu
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, Shandong
266032, China
| | - Nan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural
University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China
| | - Jianning He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural
University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China
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Niedziela DA, Naranjo-Lucena A, Molina-Hernández V, Browne JA, Martínez-Moreno Á, Pérez J, MacHugh DE, Mulcahy G. Timing of Transcriptomic Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Responses of Sheep to Fasciola hepatica Infection Differs From Those of Cattle, Reflecting Different Disease Phenotypes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729217. [PMID: 34616397 PMCID: PMC8488161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the zoonotic trematode Fasciola hepatica, common in many regions with a temperate climate, leads to delayed growth and loss of productivity in cattle, while infection in sheep can have more severe effects, potentially leading to death. Previous transcriptomic analyses revealed upregulation of TGFB1, cell death and Toll-like receptor signalling, T-cell activation, and inhibition of nitric oxide production in macrophages in response to infection. However, the differences between ovine and bovine responses have not yet been explored. The objective of this study was to further investigate the transcriptomic response of ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to F. hepatica infection, and to elucidate the differences between ovine and bovine PBMC responses. Sixteen male Merino sheep were randomly assigned to infected or control groups (n = 8 per group) and orally infected with 120 F. hepatica metacercariae. Transcriptomic data was generated from PBMC at 0, 2 and 16 weeks post-infection (wpi), and analysed for differentially expressed (DE) genes between infected and control animals at each time point (analysis 1), and for each group relative to time 0 (analysis 2). Analysis 2 was then compared to a similar study performed previously on bovine PBMC. A total of 453 DE genes were found at 2 wpi, and 2 DE genes at 16 wpi (FDR < 0.1, analysis 1). Significantly overrepresented biological pathways at 2 wpi included role of PKR in interferon induction and anti-viral response, death receptor signalling and RIG-I-like receptor signalling, which suggested that an activation of innate response to intracellular nucleic acids and inhibition of cellular apoptosis were taking place. Comparison of analysis 2 with the previous bovine transcriptomic study revealed that anti-inflammatory response pathways which were significantly overrepresented in the acute phase in cattle, including IL-10 signalling, Th2 pathway, and Th1 and Th2 activation were upregulated only in the chronic phase in sheep. We propose that the earlier activation of anti-inflammatory responses in cattle, as compared with sheep, may be related to the general absence of acute clinical signs in cattle. These findings offer scope for "smart vaccination" strategies for this important livestock parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Verónica Molina-Hernández
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - John A. Browne
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Parasitología), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José Pérez
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - David E. MacHugh
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mulcahy
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Gao WZ, Xue HL, Yang JC. Proteomics analysis of the secondary hair follicle cycle in Liaoning cashmere goat. Small Rumin Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Guo T, Han J, Yuan C, Liu J, Niu C, Lu Z, Yue Y, Yang B. Comparative proteomics reveals genetic mechanisms underlying secondary hair follicle development in fine wool sheep during the fetal stage. J Proteomics 2020; 223:103827. [PMID: 32422274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying wool production by characterizing the skin protein profile and determining the proteomic changes that occur as a consequence of development in wool-producing sheep using a label-free proteomics approach. Samples were collected at four stages during gestation (87, 96, 102, and 138 days), and every two consecutive stages were statistically compared (87 versus 96, 96 versus 102, and 102 versus 138 days). We identified 227 specific proteins in the sheep proteome that were present in all four stages, and 123 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs). We also observed that the microstructure of the secondary follicles changed significantly during the development of the fetal skin hair follicle. The screened DAPs were strictly related to metabolic and skin development pathways, and were associated with pathways such as the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. These analyses indicated that the wool production of fine wool sheep is regulated via a variety of pathways. These findings provide an important resource that can be used in future studies of the genetic mechanisms underlying wool traits in fine wool sheep, and the identified DAPs should be further investigated as candidate markers for predicting wool traits in sheep. SIGNIFICANCE: Wool quality (fiber diameter, length, etc.) is an important economic trait of fine wool sheep that is determined by secondary follicle differentiation and re-differentiation. Secondary follicles of fine wool sheep developed from a bud (87 days), and underwent differentiation (96 days) and rapid growth (102 days) until maturity (138 days) during gestation. Comparative analysis based on differential proteomics of these four periods could provide a better understanding of the wool growth mechanism of fine wool sheep and offer novel strategies for improving fine wool quality by breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Guo
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China
| | - Jilong Han
- Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China
| | - Chune Niu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China
| | - Zengkui Lu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaojing Yue
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bohui Yang
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Sheep and Goat Breeding, CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, People's Republic of China.
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Discovery of genes and proteins possibly regulating mean wool fibre diameter using cDNA microarray and proteomic approaches. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7726. [PMID: 32382132 PMCID: PMC7206055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Wool fibre diameter (WFD) is one of the wool traits with higher economic impact. However, the main genes specifically regulating WFD remain unidentified. In this current work we have used Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin, bearing more wool, in Aohan fine wool sheep, a Chinese indigenous breed, and compared them with that of small tail Han sheep, a sheep bread with coarse wool. Microarray analyses showed that most of the genes likely determining wool diameter could be classified into a few categories, including immune response, regulation of receptor binding and growth factor activity. Certain gene families might play a role in hair growth regulation. These include growth factors, immune cytokines, solute carrier families, cellular respiration and glucose transport amongst others. Proteomic analyses also identified scores of differentially expressed proteins.
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Liu G, Li S, Liu H, Zhu Y, Bai L, Sun H, Gao S, Jiang W, Li F. The functions of ocu-miR-205 in regulating hair follicle development in Rex rabbits. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2020; 20:8. [PMID: 32321445 PMCID: PMC7178635 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-020-00213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hair follicles are an appendage of the vertebrate epithelium in the skin that arise from the embryonic ectoderm and regenerate cyclically during adulthood. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are the key dermal component of the hair follicle that directly regulate hair follicle development, growth and regeneration. According to recent studies, miRNAs play an important role in regulating hair follicle morphogenesis and the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells. RESULTS The miRNA expression profile of the DPCs from Rex rabbits with different hair densities revealed 240 differentially expressed miRNAs (|log2(HD/LD)| > 1.00 and Q-value≤0.001). Among them, ocu-miR-205-5p was expressed at higher levels in DPCs from rabbits with low hair densities (LD) than in rabbits with high hair densities (HD), and it was expressed at high levels in the skin tissue from Rex rabbits (P < 0.05). Notably, ocu-miR-205 increased cell proliferation and the cell apoptosis rate, altered the progression of the cell cycle (P < 0.05), and modulated the expression of genes involved in the PI3K/Akt, Wnt, Notch and BMP signalling pathways in DPCs and skin tissue from Rex rabbits. It also inhibited the phosphorylation of the CTNNB1 and GSK-3β proteins, decreased the level of the noggin (NOG) protein, and increased the level of phosphorylated Akt (P < 0.05). A significant change in the primary follicle density was not observed (P > 0.05), but the secondary follicle density and total follicle density (P < 0.05) were altered upon interference with ocu-miR-205-5p expression, and the secondary/primary ratio (S/P) in the ocu-miR-205-5p interfered expression group increased 14 days after the injection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the present study, ocu-miR-205 promoted the apoptosis of DPCs, altered the expression of genes and proteins involved in the PI3K/Akt, Wnt, Notch and BMP signalling pathways in DPCs and skin from Rex rabbits, promoted the transition of hair follicles from the growth phase to the regression and resting phase, and altered the hair density of Rex rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongyan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongli Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanli Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Liya Bai
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haitao Sun
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuxia Gao
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxue Jiang
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Jinan, 251000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuchang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China.
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Bai L, Jiang W, Wang W, Gao S, Sun H, Yang L, Hu H. Optimum wool harvest interval of angora rabbits under organised farm conditions in East China. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2019.10838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the commercial lifespan and optimum wool harvest interval of Angora rabbits. One hundred shorn Angora rabbits were housed in an organised farm to describe the wool production curve. It showed that the optimum wool harvest interval was 75 d, when fibre length reached 55.0 mm. Wool production was lower from the 3<sup>rd</sup> to the 6<sup>th</sup> mo (young stage) than from 7<sup>th</sup> to 28<sup>th</sup> mo and rapidly decreased from 28<sup>th</sup> to 31<sup>st</sup> mo and was the lowest from 31<sup>st</sup> to 33<sup>rd</sup> mo of age. Feed intake-to-wool production ratio was higher from 3<sup>rd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> and from 7<sup>th</sup> to 9<sup>th</sup> mo of age than during the adult stage, and increased from 31<sup>st</sup> to 33<sup>rd</sup> mo of age. Daily weight gain was significantly higher from 3<sup>rd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> mo of age than in any other periods of the adult stage, and was negative from 23<sup>rd</sup> to 33<sup>rd</sup> mo of age. Therefore, the study reveals that the commercial lifespan of Angora rabbits was approximately 28 mo. Furthermore, wool production was higher in spring and winter than in autumn, and was the lowest in summer. Concomitantly, feed intake-to-wool production ratio was lower in spring than in autumn and winter, and was the highest in summer. Finally, daily weight gain was higher in spring and autumn than in winter, and was the lowest in summer. This indicates that wool production was depending on the season, and decreased significantly in summer. Moreover, the spring provided the best conditions for Angora rabbits.
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Li S, Zheng X, Nie Y, Chen W, Liu Z, Tao Y, Hu X, Hu Y, Qiao H, Qi Q, Pei Q, Cai D, Yu M, Mou C. Defining Key Genes Regulating Morphogenesis of Apocrine Sweat Gland in Sheepskin. Front Genet 2019; 9:739. [PMID: 30761184 PMCID: PMC6363705 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The apocrine sweat gland is a unique skin appendage in humans compared to mouse and chicken models. The absence of apocrine sweat glands in chicken and murine skin largely restrains further understanding of the complexity of human skin biology and skin diseases, like hircismus. Sheep may serve as an additional system for skin appendage investigation owing to the distributions and histological similarities between the apocrine sweat glands of sheep trunk skin and human armpit skin. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis of apocrine sweat glands in sheepskin, transcriptome analyses were conducted to reveal 1631 differentially expressed genes that were mainly enriched in three functional groups (cellular component, molecular function and biological process), particularly in gland, epithelial, hair follicle and skin development. There were 7 Gene Ontology (GO) terms enriched in epithelial cell migration and morphogenesis of branching epithelium that were potentially correlated with the wool follicle peg elongation. An additional 5 GO terms were enriched in gland morphogenesis (20 genes), gland development (42 genes), salivary gland morphogenesis and development (8 genes), branching involved in salivary gland morphogenesis (6 genes) and mammary gland epithelial cell differentiation (4 genes). The enriched gland-related genes and two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway genes (WNT and TGF-β) were potentially involved in the induction of apocrine sweat glands. Genes named BMPR1A, BMP7, SMAD4, TGFB3, WIF1, and WNT10B were selected to validate transcript expression by qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to localize markers for hair follicle (SOX2), skin fibroblast (PDGFRB), stem cells (SOX9) and BMP signaling (SMAD5) in sheepskin. SOX2 and PDGFRB were absent in apocrine sweat glands. SOX9 and SMAD5 were both observed in precursor cells of apocrine sweat glands and later in gland ducts. These results combined with the upregulation of BMP signaling genes indicate that apocrine sweat glands were originated from outer root sheath of primary wool follicle and positively regulated by BMP signaling. This report established the primary network regulating early development of apocrine sweat glands in sheepskin and will facilitate the further understanding of histology and pathology of apocrine sweat glands in human and companion animal skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaomei Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinting Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangfan Nie
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenshuo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingfeng Tao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuewen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Hu
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
| | - Haisheng Qiao
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
| | - Quanqing Qi
- Sanjiaocheng Sheep Breeding Farm, Haibei, China
| | | | - Danzhuoma Cai
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Haixi, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Mou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Cai J, Sun Y, Yin Z, Wang D, Shi K, Fu Y, Cao X, Ge Y. Analysis of FK506-mediated functional recovery and neuroprotection in a rat model of spinal cord injury indicates that EGF is modulated in astrocytes. Exp Ther Med 2018; 16:501-510. [PMID: 30116308 PMCID: PMC6090233 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate whether the application of tacrolimus (FK506) could improve functional recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) rat models by activating astrocytes, and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms of this action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=56) were used to establish moderate SCI models, which were induced at the T10 spinal segment by dropping a 10-g weight from a height of 25 mm using a New York University Impactor device. The rats were randomly separated into the FK506 or control group (n=28 per group). Rats were treated with FK506 (0.5 mg/kg) or saline intravenously 30 min after sustaining the injury. Functional recovery was evaluated over 42 days following the injury, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels were detected. The astrocytes were treated with FK506 in vitro, and the EGF mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively. DNA microarray analysis was also performed to evaluate the genes in astrocytes. Rats in the FK506 group had improved locomotor functional recovery compared with those of control group. Furthermore, FK506 upregulated EGF expression of astrocytes both in vivo and in vitro. Subsequent to treatment with FK506-conditioned medium (CM), the length of neuronal cells increased 61.06% on the first day, and increased 56.4% on the third day compared with those of C-CM group. Furthermore, addition of anti-EGF neutralizing antibodies could interrupt the promotion of neurite outgrowth by FK506-CM. The present study indicates that astrocytes have an important role as mediators of FK506-improved spinal cord function recovery, and this partially clarifies the role of cell-cell interaction through modulating EGF in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cai
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China.,Department of Physiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Zaoyang Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Daode Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Kun Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yuxuan Fu
- Department of Physiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojian Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yingbin Ge
- Department of Physiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
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Gutiérrez-Gil B, Esteban-Blanco C, Wiener P, Chitneedi PK, Suarez-Vega A, Arranz JJ. High-resolution analysis of selection sweeps identified between fine-wool Merino and coarse-wool Churra sheep breeds. Genet Sel Evol 2017; 49:81. [PMID: 29115919 PMCID: PMC5674817 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-017-0354-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the aim of identifying selection signals in three Merino sheep lines that are highly specialized for fine wool production (Australian Industry Merino, Australian Merino and Australian Poll Merino) and considering that these lines have been subjected to selection not only for wool traits but also for growth and carcass traits and parasite resistance, we contrasted the OvineSNP50 BeadChip (50 K-chip) pooled genotypes of these Merino lines with the genotypes of a coarse-wool breed, phylogenetically related breed, Spanish Churra dairy sheep. Genome re-sequencing datasets of the two breeds were analyzed to further explore the genetic variation of the regions initially identified as putative selection signals. RESULTS Based on the 50 K-chip genotypes, we used the overlapping selection signals (SS) identified by four selection sweep mapping analyses (that detect genetic differentiation, reduced heterozygosity and patterns of haplotype diversity) to define 18 convergence candidate regions (CCR), five associated with positive selection in Australian Merino and the remainder indicating positive selection in Churra. Subsequent analysis of whole-genome sequences from 15 Churra and 13 Merino samples identified 142,400 genetic variants (139,745 bi-allelic SNPs and 2655 indels) within the 18 defined CCR. Annotation of 1291 variants that were significantly associated with breed identity between Churra and Merino samples identified 257 intragenic variants that caused 296 functional annotation variants, 275 of which were located across 31 coding genes. Among these, four synonymous and four missense variants (NPR2_His847Arg, NCAPG_Ser585Phe, LCORL_Asp1214Glu and LCORL_Ile1441Leu) were included. CONCLUSIONS Here, we report the mapping and genetic variation of 18 selection signatures that were identified between Australian Merino and Spanish Churra sheep breeds, which were validated by an additional contrast between Spanish Merino and Churra genotypes. Analysis of whole-genome sequencing datasets allowed us to identify divergent variants that may be viewed as candidates involved in the phenotypic differences for wool, growth and meat production/quality traits between the breeds analyzed. The four missense variants located in the NPR2, NCAPG and LCORL genes may be related to selection sweep regions previously identified and various QTL reported in sheep in relation to growth traits and carcass composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Gutiérrez-Gil
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León, 24071 Spain
| | - Cristina Esteban-Blanco
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León, 24071 Spain
- Fundación Centro Supercomputación de Castilla y León, Campus de Vegazana, León, 24071 Spain
| | - Pamela Wiener
- Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG UK
| | - Praveen Krishna Chitneedi
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León, 24071 Spain
| | - Aroa Suarez-Vega
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León, 24071 Spain
| | - Juan-Jose Arranz
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León, 24071 Spain
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12
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A comparison of transcriptomic patterns measured in the skin of Chinese fine and coarse wool sheep breeds. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14301. [PMID: 29085060 PMCID: PMC5662721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14772-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterised wool traits, and skin gene expression profiles of fine wool Super Merino (SM) and coarse wool Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. SM sheep had a significantly higher total density of wool follicles, heavier fleeces, finer fibre diameter, and increased crimp frequency, staple length and wool grease (lanolin) production. We found 435 genes were expressed at significantly different levels in the skin of the two breeds (127 genes more highly in SM and 308 genes more highly in STH sheep). Classification of the genes more highly expressed in SM sheep revealed numerous lipid metabolic genes as well as genes encoding keratins, keratin-associated proteins, and wool follicle stem cell markers. In contrast, mammalian epidermal development complex genes and other genes associated with skin cornification and muscle function were more highly expressed in STH sheep. Genes identified in this study may be further evaluated for inclusion in breeding programs, or as targets for therapeutic or genetic interventions, aimed at altering wool quality or yield. Expression of the lipid metabolic genes in the skin of sheep may be used as a novel trait with the potential to alter the content or properties of lanolin or the fleece.
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13
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Zhao J, Liu N, Liu K, He J, Yu J, Bu R, Cheng M, De W, Liu J, Li H. Identification of genes and proteins associated with anagen wool growth. Anim Genet 2016; 48:67-79. [PMID: 27611105 DOI: 10.1111/age.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Identifying genes of major effect for wool growth would offer strategies for improving the quality and increasing the yield of fine wool. In this study, we employed the Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin (more wool growing) in Aohan fine wool sheep (a Chinese indigenous breed) in comparison with groin skin (no wool growing) at the anagen stage of the wool follicle. A microarray study revealed that 4772 probes were differentially expressed, including 2071 upregulated and 2701 downregulated probes, in the comparisons of body side skin vs. groin skin (S/G). The microarray results were verified by means of quantitative PCR. A total of 1099 probes were assigned to unique genes/transcripts. The number of distinct genes/transcripts (annotated) was 926, of which 352 were upregulated and 574 were downregulated. In S/G, 13 genes were upregulated by more than 10 fold, whereas 60 genes were downregulated by more than 10 fold. Further analysis revealed that the majority of the genes possibly related to the wool growth could be assigned to categories including regulation of cell division, intermediate filament, cytoskeletal part and growth factor activity. Several potential gene families may participate in hair growth regulation, including fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor-β, WNTs, insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factors and so on. Proteomic analysis also revealed 196 differentially expressed protein points, of which 121 were identified as single protein points.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhao
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.,Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China.,China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - N Liu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - K Liu
- Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - J He
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - J Yu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - R Bu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - M Cheng
- Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - W De
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - J Liu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - H Li
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.,Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China
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14
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Zhao J, Li H, Liu K, Zhang B, Li P, He J, Cheng M, De W, Liu J, Zhao Y, Yang L, Liu N. Identification of differentially expressed genes affecting hair and cashmere growth in the Laiwu black goat by microarray. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:3823-31. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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15
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Liu N, Li H, Liu K, Yu J, Bu R, Cheng M, De W, Liu J, He G, Zhao J. Identification of skin-expressed genes possibly associated with wool growth regulation of Aohan fine wool sheep. BMC Genet 2014; 15:144. [PMID: 25511509 PMCID: PMC4272822 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-014-0144-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sheep are valuable resources for the animal fibre industry. Therefore, identifying genes which regulate wool growth would offer strategies for improving the quality of fine wool. In this study, we employed Agilent sheep gene expression microarray and proteomic technology to compare the gene expression patterns of the body side (hair-rich) and groin (hairless) skins of Aohan fine wool sheep (a Chinese indigenous breed). Results Comparing the body side to the groin skins (S/G) of Aohan fine wool sheep, the microarray study revealed that 1494 probes were differentially expressed, including 602 more highly expressed and 892 less highly expressed probes. The microarray results were verified by means of quantitative PCR. Cluster analysis could distinguish the body side skin and the groin skin. Based on the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), 38 of the differentially expressed genes were classified into four categories, namely regulation of receptor binding, multicellular organismal process, protein binding and macromolecular complex. Proteomic study revealed that 187 protein spots showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in their respective expression levels. Among them, 46 protein entries were further identified by MALDI-TOF/MS analyses. Conclusions Microarray analysis revealed thousands of differentially expressed genes, many of which were possibly associated with wool growth. Several potential gene families might participate in hair growth regulation. Proteomic analysis also indentified hundreds of differentially expressed proteins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-014-0144-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Liu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Hegang Li
- Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Kaidong Liu
- Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Juanjuan Yu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Ran Bu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Ming Cheng
- Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Wei De
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China.
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Guangling He
- State key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Jinshan Zhao
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China. .,Qingdao Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao, 266100, China. .,China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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