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Koçkaya ES, Can H, Yaman Y, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Döşkaya M, Pehlivan E, Şireli HD, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Newly developed peptide-ELISA successfully detected anti-IgG antibodies against Maedi-Visna virus in sheep. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2024; 274:110806. [PMID: 39002364 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Maedi Visna Virus (MVV) is a retrovirus that can infect sheep. There is still no effective therapy or vaccine against this virus and timely diagnosis is important to combat the complications of the disease. In this study, we aimed to develop an ELISA using peptides derived from gag protein as antigen. For this purpose, B cell epitopes of gag protein were predicted and a docking analysis with the B cell receptor was performed to select peptides to be used in ELISA. After three soluble epitopes with the highest antigenicity were produced as peptides, the immunogenicity of each peptide was determined by ELISA using sheep serum samples categorized as MVV positive (n=24) and negative (n=13). Subsequently, in house ELISA using above mentioned immunogenic peptides as antigen was used to investigate MVV seroprevalence in sheep (n=88). According to the results, among three peptides, two of them strongly reacted with MVV positive serum samples and the mean absorbance values detected among positive and negative serum samples were statistically significant, indicating that these peptides were immunogenic (P=0.016 and P=0.038). The third peptide also reacted with positive serum samples but the mean absorbance value was not statistically significant and this peptide was considered non-immunogenic (P=0.175). The immunogenic two peptides showed the same high sensitivity and specificity values of 91.60 and 92.80 according to the commercial kit. Moreover, MVV seroprevalence detected by peptide-ELISAs using CKQGSKE and CRPQGKAGHKG peptides as antigen was 3.40 % and 4.5 %, respectively. As a result, it was shown that these peptides can be successfully used for serological diagnosis of MVV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Su Koçkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye.
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Siirt University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Genetics, Siirt, Türkiye
| | - Çağrı Kandemir
- Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Turgay Taşkın
- Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Erkan Pehlivan
- Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Halit Deniz Şireli
- Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
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Riggio S, Tolone M, Sottile G, Tumino S, Portolano B, Sutera AM, Sardina MT, Cesarani A, Mastrangelo S. A high-density genome-wide approach reveals novel genetic markers linked to small ruminant lentivirus susceptibility in sheep. Front Genet 2024; 15:1376883. [PMID: 38911298 PMCID: PMC11191640 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1376883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Visna/Maedi virus (VMV) is lentiviral disease of sheep responsible for severe production losses. Multiple genomic regions associated with infection were reported indicating genetic complexity. In this study, a combined genome-wide approach using a high-density SNP array has been performed, comparing VMV-infected (n = 78) and non-infected (n = 66) individuals of the Valle del Belice breed. The serological tests showed a seroprevalence of 26%. The comparison among results from different approaches (GWAS, Fisher's exact test and the FST analysis) revealed two association signals: on OAR03 close to the GRIN2B gene and on OAR05 close to the TMEM232 gene. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous association between these genes and lentiviral infection in any species. The GRIN2B gene plays a role in pain response, synaptic transmission, and receptor clustering, while TMEM232 is involved in the development of immune-related disorders. The results highlighted new aspects of the genetic complexity related to the resistance/susceptibility to VMV in sheep, confirming that studies on different breeds can lead to different results. The ideal approach for validation of the markers identified in our study is to use samples from a population independent from the discovery population with the same phenotype used in the discovery stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Riggio
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Tolone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche, ed Ambientali, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sottile
- Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Aziendali e Statistiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Tumino
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Baldassare Portolano
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Sutera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche, ed Ambientali, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Sardina
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Cesarani
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Salvatore Mastrangelo
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Rodrigues CS, de Faria DA, Lacerda TS, Paiva SR, Caetano AR, Blackburn H, McManus C. Lentivirus Susceptibility in Brazilian and US Sheep with TMEM154 Mutations. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:genes14010070. [PMID: 36672811 PMCID: PMC9858560 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010070] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) affect sheep and goats worldwide. The major gene related to SRLV infections is the Transmembrane Protein Gene 154 (TMEM154). We estimated the haplotype frequencies of TMEM154 in the USA (USDA-ARS) and Brazil (Embrapa) Gene Banks by using two different SNP genotyping methodologies, FluidigmTM and KASPTM. We also genotyped the ZNF389_ss748775100 deletion variant in Brazilian flocks. A total of 1040 blood samples and 112 semen samples from 15 Brazilian breeds were genotyped with Fluidigm for the SNP ZNF389_ss748775100 and 12 TMEM154 SNPs. A total of 484 blood samples from the Santa Inês breed and 188 semen samples from 14 North American sheep breeds were genotyped with KASP for 6 TMEM154 SNPs. All the Brazilian samples had the "I/I" genotype for the ZNF389_ss748775100 mutation. There were 25 TMEM154 haplotypes distributed across the Brazilian breeds, and 4 haplotypes in the US breeds. Haplotypes associated with susceptibility were present in almost all breeds, which suggests that genetic testing can help to improve herd health and productivity by selecting non-susceptible animals as founders of the next generations. Fluidigm and KASP are reliable assays when compared with Beadchip arrays. Further studies are necessary to understand the unknown role of TMEM154 mutations, host-pathogen interaction and new genes associated with the clinical condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Souza Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Central de Ciências, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Danielle Assis de Faria
- Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Central de Ciências, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Thaísa Sant’Anna Lacerda
- Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Central de Ciências, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Samuel Rezende Paiva
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Final W5 Norte, Brasilia 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Harvey Blackburn
- USDA-ARS—Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research, 1111 South Mason Street, Fort Collins, CO 805214500, USA
| | - Concepta McManus
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasilia, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
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Impact of Four Ovine TMEM154 Haplotypes on Ewes during Multiyear Lentivirus Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314966. [PMID: 36499292 PMCID: PMC9741230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Polypeptide variation encoded by the ovine transmembrane protein 154 gene (TMEM154) is associated with susceptibility to ovine lentivirus, the causative agent of Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) and Visna/Maedi. Our aim was to compare the four most prevalent TMEM154 haplotypes on the incidence of infection and ewe productivity during natural multiyear virus exposure. Prospective cohort studies were designed to test gene action and estimate effects of TMEM154 haplotypes encoding distinctive variant residues: K35 (“1”), I70 (“2”), ancestral (“3”), and A4del/M44 (“4”). Exposure consisted of co-mingling infected ewes at a rate greater than 30% with serological status evaluated every four months. For ewes with one or two copies of the highly susceptible haplotypes “2” and ”3”, the infection prevalence steadily increased to nearly 100% at 55 months. Haplotypes “2” and “3” were equally susceptible and dominant to haplotype “1”. A difference was not detected (p < 0.53) in the magnitude of effect with haplotype combinations of “1” and ”4”. The ewe infection prevalence with “1,1”; “1,4”; and “4,4” was 10% to 40% at 55 months. The latter suggested that two copies of the K35 amino acid substitution (“1”) were as effective as a homozygous TMEM154 “knockout” with the frame-shift deletion mutation (“4”) in reducing infection susceptibility. When considering ewe reproductive performance, a difference was not detected when comparing haplotypes “2”, and “3” to each other, or “1” and “4” to each other. Our study indicated that ewes with two copies of the severely truncated versions of TMEM154 (“4,4”) had normal lamb productivity. Without complete understanding of the natural function of TMEM154 our recommendations to producers interested in using TMEM154 selection to reduce their flock’s genetic predisposition to OPP are encouraged to increase the frequency of TMEM154 haplotype K35 (“1”) since it encodes a full-length protein with minimal difference to the ancestral polypeptide.
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Alternative Molecular Tools for the Fight against Infectious Diseases of Small Ruminants: Native Sicilian Sheep Breeds and Maedi-Visna Genetic Susceptibility. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131630. [PMID: 35804527 PMCID: PMC9264923 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Local breeds represent a precious reservoir of genetic diversity, crucial to adapting to environmental and climate changes and reacting to evolving diseases. In Sicily, four native dairy breeds, namely Valle del Belìce, Comisana, Barbaresca, and Pinzirita, have adapted to low-input farming systems and semiarid environments, having an essential role in producing high-quality milk and typical dairy products. Maedi-visna (MV) is one of the most important chronic diseases affecting the sheep sector worldwide, causing production losses. Different target genes play an important role in immunity and in genetic resilience to MV, such as TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88, and CCR5. A major host genetic component to sheep MV susceptibility was identified in the ovine TMEM154 gene. Animals with either of TMEM154 haplotypes that encode glutamate at position 35 (E35) of the protein are at higher risk of MV infection than those homozygous with lysine at position 35 (K35). In the tested Sicilian breeds, animals carrying the allele E35 showed a greater risk of being serologically positive. Comisana, Barbaresca, and Pinzirita breeds showed a good frequency of the protective allele K35, whilst a high frequency of risk allele was found in the Valle del Belìce breed, related to the selection strategies addressed to obtain a productive dairy sheep. Our results highlight the importance of the preservation of autochthonous breeds as a reservoir of natural resistance against infectious disease. Abstract Maedi-visna (MV) is a disease caused by small ruminant lentiviruses. It is included in the list of notifiable terrestrial animal diseases due to economic losses and animal welfare harm in the sheep sector. To date, control programs remain the onliest approach to avoiding infection. The allelic variant p.Glu35Lys (E35K) of the TMEM154 gene has been strongly associated with host vulnerability to MV illness. The present study aimed to investigate the association of TMEM154 E35K allele frequencies with MV susceptibility in native Sicilian sheep breeds. More than 400 animals from 14 local sheep were serologically tested and genotyped for the TMEM154 E35K polymorphism. The local breeds displayed different values of MV seroprevalence, with the lowest antibody prevalence in Barbaresca and Pinzirita breeds. TMEM154 protective allele (K35) was less frequent than the risk allele (E35) in Valle del Belìce breed, whereas the other three breeds showed a more balanced alleles distribution. A positive association between seroprevalence and genotype was found in the entire sample set. The risk of infection resulted in more than 3-fold times as high in sheep with EK and EE genotype compared to the KK genotype. Our data could be helpful in establishing selection breeding programs aimed at reducing MV infection in Sicilian sheep farming and encouraging the breeding of native breeds.
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Jones S, McKay H, Eden L, Bollard N, Dunham S, Davies P, Tarlinton R. Clearance of Maedi-visna infection in a longitudinal study of naturally infected rams is associated with homozygosity for the TMEM154 resistance allele. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35144720 PMCID: PMC8941955 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Maedi-visna (MV) is a lentiviral disease of sheep responsible for severe production losses in affected flocks. There are no vaccination or treatment options with control reliant on test and cull strategies. The most common diagnostic methods used at present are combination ELISAs for Gag and Env proteins with virus variability making PCR diagnostics still largely an experimental tool. To assess variability in viral loads and diagnostic tests results, serology, DNA and RNA viral loads were measured in the blood of 12 naturally infected rams repeatedly blood sampled over 16 months. Six animals tested negative in one or more tests at one or more time points and would have been missed on screening programmes reliant on one test method or a single time point. In addition the one animal homozygous for the ‘K’ allele of the TMEM154 E35K SNP maintained very low viral loads in all assays and apparently cleared infection to below detectable limits at the final time point it was sampled. This adds crucial data to the strong epidemiological evidence that this locus represents a genuine resistance marker for MV infection and is a strong candidate for selective breeding of sheep for resistance to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Jones
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Heather McKay
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.,Three Valleys Veterinary, 107 Kesh Road, Irvinestown, Enniskillen BT94FX, UK
| | - Laura Eden
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.,Bishopton Veterinary Group, Mill Farm, Studley Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2QR, UK
| | - Nicola Bollard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Stephen Dunham
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Peers Davies
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.,Department of Livestock and One Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Rachael Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
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Murphy TW, Chitko-McKown CG, Heaton MP, Freking BA. Effect of TMEM154 E35K variant (haplotypes 1 and 3) on the incidence of ovine lentivirus infection and ewe productivity during lifetime exposure. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6407712. [PMID: 34673957 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) is a small ruminant lentivirus that is widespread throughout U.S. sheep flocks. Infections with OPPV are lifelong and effects are multi-systemic with significant implications for animal well-being and productivity. A protein isoform with lysine at position 35 (K35, haplotype "1") encoded by the ovine transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) gene has been associated with reduced susceptibility to infection when two copies are present (i.e., diplotype "1,1"). Conversely, the ancestral protein isoform with glutamate at position 35 (E35, haplotype "3") is associated with high susceptibility to infection when at least one copy is present. The beneficial effect of TMEM154 K35 alleles on ewe productivity has not been previously measured in controlled challenge experiments and was a major objective of this study. Ewes with TMEM154 diplotypes "1,1"; "1,3"; and "3,3" (n = 31, 47, and 30, respectively) were born and reared by OPPV-infected dams and managed under continual natural exposure to OPPV. Ewes were tested for serological status at 4-mo intervals for up to 5.5 yr. The incidence of infection in ewes with diplotype "1,1" was 6.5% to 9.7% and significantly lower (P < 0.001) than ewes with diplotype "1,3" (60.5 to 97.3%) or "3,3" (64.0 to 91.4%). Furthermore, the incidence among ewes with diplotype "1,1" did not increase from 10 to 67 mo of age (P > 0.99), whereas the incidence among diplotype "1,3" and "3,3" ewes increased steadily until reaching an asymptote at approximately 52 mo of age. Total number and weight of lamb weaned per ewe exposed through 5.5 yr from ewes with diplotype "1,1" far exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) those with diplotypes "1,3" and "3,3" by, on average, 2.1 lambs and 40 kg, respectively. The present study confirmed that TMEM154 diplotype "1,1" animals have reduced incidence of OPPV infection and, correspondingly, improved productivity. In flocks with a high frequency of TMEM154 haplotype "3," selection for haplotype "1" appears to be a cost-effective approach to mitigate the impact of this economically important disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Murphy
- USDA, ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Carol G Chitko-McKown
- USDA, ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Mike P Heaton
- USDA, ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Brad A Freking
- USDA, ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
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Olech M, Ropka-Molik K, Szmatoła T, Piórkowska K, Kuźmak J. Transcriptome Analysis for Genes Associated with Small Ruminant Lentiviruses Infection in Goats of Carpathian Breed. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102054. [PMID: 34696484 DOI: 10.3390/v13102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) are economically important viral pathogens of sheep and goats. SRLV infection may interfere in the innate and adaptive immunity of the host, and genes associated with resistance or susceptibility to infection with SRLV have not been fully recognized. The presence of animals with relatively high and low proviral load suggests that some host factors are involved in the control of virus replication. To better understand the role of the genes involved in the host response to SRLV infection, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) method was used to compare whole gene expression profiles in goats carrying both a high (HPL) and low (LPL) proviral load of SRLV and uninfected animals. Data enabled the identification of 1130 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and LPL groups: 411 between control and HPL groups and 1434 DEGs between HPL and LPL groups. DEGs detected between the control group and groups with a proviral load were found to be significantly enriched in several gene ontology (GO) terms, including an integral component of membrane, extracellular region, response to growth factor, inflammatory and innate immune response, transmembrane signaling receptor activity, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway as well as regulation of cytokine secretion. Our results also demonstrated significant deregulation of selected pathways in response to viral infection. The presence of SRLV proviral load in blood resulted in the modification of gene expression belonging to the toll-like receptor signaling pathway, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the phagosome, the Ras signaling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway and rheumatoid arthritis. It is worth mentioning that the most predominant in all pathways were genes represented by toll-like receptors, tubulins, growth factors as well as interferon gamma receptors. DEGs detected between LPL and HPL groups were found to have significantly enriched regulation of signaling receptor activity, the response to toxic substances, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase complex assembly, cytokine production, vesicle, and vacuole organization. In turn, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway tool classified DEGs that enrich molecular processes such as B and T-cell receptor signaling pathways, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, toll-like receptor signaling pathways, TNF, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and forkhead box O (Foxo) signaling pathways, etc. Our data indicate that changes in SRLV proviral load induced altered expression of genes related to different biological processes such as immune response, inflammation, cell locomotion, and cytokine production. These findings provide significant insights into defense mechanisms against SRLV infection. Furthermore, these data can be useful to develop strategies against SRLV infection by selection of animals with reduced SRLV proviral concentration that may lead to a reduction in the spread of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Olech
- Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Ropka-Molik
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szmatoła
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Kraków, Poland
- Center for Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Rędzina 1c, 30-248 Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Piórkowska
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jacek Kuźmak
- Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
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Dickey AM, Smith TPL, Clawson ML, Heaton MP, Workman AM. Classification of small ruminant lentivirus subtype A2, subgroups 1 and 2 based on whole genome comparisons and complex recombination patterns. F1000Res 2021; 9:1449. [PMID: 35035904 PMCID: PMC8749911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.27898.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause a multisystemic chronic wasting disease in sheep across much of the world. SRLV subtype A2 is prevalent in North America and further classified into multiple subgroups based on variation in the group antigens gene (gag) and envelope (env) genes. In sheep, the ovine transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) gene is associated with SRLV susceptibility. Ewes with at least one copy of TMEM154 encoding a full-length protein with glutamate at position 35 (E35; haplotypes 2 and 3), are highly susceptible to SRLV infection while ewes with any combination of TMEM154 haplotypes which encodes lysine (K35; haplotype 1), or truncated proteins (haplotypes 4 and 6) are several times less so. A2 subgroups 1 and 2 are associated with host TMEM154 genotypes; subgroup 1 with the K35/K35 genotype and subgroup 2 with the E35/E35 genotype. Methods: Sequence variation within and among full-length assemblies of SRLV subtype A2 subgroups 1 and 2 was analyzed to identify genome-scale recombination patterns and subgroup-specific variants. Results: Consensus viral genomes were assembled from 23 infected sheep, including animals of assorted TMEM154 genotypes comprised of haplotypes 1, 2, or 3. Viral genome analysis identified viral subgroups 1 and 2 among the samples, and revealed additional sub-structure within subgroup 2 based on models predicting complex patterns of recombination between the two subgroups in several genomes. Animals with evidence of dual subgroup infection also possessed the most diverse quasi-species and the most highly recombined consensus genomes. After accounting for recombination, 413 subgroup diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Conclusions: The viral subgroup framework developed to classify SRLV consensus genomes along a continuum of recombination suggests that animals with the TMEM154 E35/K35 genotype may represent a reservoir for producing viral genomes representing recombination between A2 subgroups 1 and 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Dickey
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Timothy P. L. Smith
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Michael L. Clawson
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Michael P. Heaton
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Aspen M. Workman
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
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A novel 2 bp deletion variant in Ovine-DRB1 gene is associated with increased Visna/maedi susceptibility in Turkish sheep. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14435. [PMID: 34262107 PMCID: PMC8280167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93864-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Visna/maedi (VM) is a multisystemic lentivirus infection of sheep that affecting sheep industry across the globe. TMEM154 gene has been identified to be a major VM-associated host gene, nevertheless, a recent study showed that the frequency of the VM-resistant TMEM154 haplotypes was very low or absent in indigenous sheep. Thus, the present study was designed to determine other possible co-receptors associated with VM. For this purpose, DRB1 gene, which is renowned for its role in host immune response against various diseases was targeted. A total number of 151 case–control matched pairs were constructed from 2266 serologically tested sheep. A broad range of DRB1 haplotype diversity was detected by sequence-based genotyping. Moreover, a novel 2 bp deletion (del) in the DRB1 intron 1 was identified. For the final statistic, the sheep carrying VM-resistant TMEM154 diplotypes were removed and a McNemar’s test with a matched pairs experimental design was conducted. Consequently, it was identified for the first time that the 2 bp del variant is a genetic risk factor for VM (p value 0.002; chi-square 8.31; odds ratio 2.9; statistical power 0.90) in the dominant model. Thus, negative selection for 2 bp del variant could decrease VM infection risk in Turkish sheep.
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First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071290. [PMID: 34372496 PMCID: PMC8310241 DOI: 10.3390/v13071290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maedi-visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), belong to the genus Lentivirus of the Retroviridae family. SRLVs infect both sheep and goats, causing significant economic losses and animal welfare damage. Recent findings suggest an association between serological status and allelic variants of different genes such as TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of specific polymorphisms of these genes in SRLVs infection in some sheep flocks in Italy. In addition to those already known, novel variants in the TMEM154 (P7H, I74V, I105V) gene were detected in this study. The risk of infection was determined finding an association between the serological status and polymorphisms P7H, E35K, N70I, I74V, I105V of TMEM154, R447Q, A462S and G520R in TLR9 gene, H176H* and K190K* in MYD88 genes, while no statistical association was observed for the 4-bp deletion of the CCR5 gene. Since no vaccines or treatments have been developed, a genetically based approach could be an innovative strategy to prevent and to control SRLVs infection. Our findings are an important starting point in order to define the genetic resistance profile towards SRLVs infection.
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Yaman Y, Aymaz R, Keleş M, Bay V, Ün C, Heaton MP. Association of TLR2 haplotypes encoding Q650 with reduced susceptibility to ovine Johne's disease in Turkish sheep. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7088. [PMID: 33782507 PMCID: PMC8007707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86605-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and carries a potential zoonotic risk for humans. Selective breeding strategies for reduced OJD susceptibility would be welcome tools in disease eradication efforts, if available. The Toll-like receptor 2 gene (TLR2) plays an important signaling role in immune response to MAP, and missense variants are associated with mycobacterial infections in mammals. Our aim was to identify and evaluate ovine TLR2 missense variants for association with OJD in Turkish sheep. Eleven TLR2 missense variants and 17 haplotype configurations were identified in genomic sequences of 221 sheep from 61 globally-distributed breeds. The five most frequent haplotypes were tested for OJD association in 102 matched pairs of infected and uninfected ewes identified in 2257 Turkish sheep. Ewes with one or two copies of TLR2 haplotypes encoding glutamine (Q) at position 650 (Q650) in the Tir domain were 6.6-fold more likely to be uninfected compared to ewes with arginine (R650) at that position (CI95 = 2.6 to 16.9, p-value = 3.7 × 10–6). The protective TLR2 Q650 allele was present in at least 25% of breeds tested and thus may facilitate selective breeding for sheep with reduced susceptibility to OJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey.
| | - Ramazan Aymaz
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Murat Keleş
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Veysel Bay
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35000, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Michael P Heaton
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
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Bay V, Keleş M, Aymaz R, Hatipoğlu E, Öner Y, Yaman Y. Documentation of extensive genetic diversity in the Ovar- DRB1 gene in native Turkish sheep. Anim Biotechnol 2021; 32:507-518. [PMID: 33606604 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1884086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Indigenous breeds have a high level of genetic diversity that might contribute to develop animal breeds with desired traits such as disease resistance and high productivity. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a key component of adaptive immune system and consists of highly polymorphic genes that take part in adaptive immune response and disease resistance. Exploring and understanding the effect of polymorphisms in MHC could be beneficial to future animal breeding strategies. In this study, we sequenced the highly polymorphic Exon2 of the ovine DRB1 gene using Sanger sequencing to explore the diversity of this gene in six indigenous Turkish sheep breeds and two crossbreeds. In total, 894 haplotypes from 447 sheep were investigated, and 69 different haplotypes including 27 novel ones were identified. Among the identified haplotypes there were common and breed specific haplotypes. There was a relatively high diversity of the alleles within indigenous breeds. Allelic diversity patterns were mostly associated with geographical differences. The results of this study highlight the genetic variation within indigenous breeds which has important implications for biodiversity and the adaptability of breeds to specific environments. There is value to further studies which include other genomic regions and traits, and these could guide breeding strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veysel Bay
- Department of Biometrics and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Murat Keleş
- Department of Biometrics and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Aymaz
- Department of Biometrics and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Ecem Hatipoğlu
- Department of Biometrics and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Öner
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometrics and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Balıkesir, Turkey
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Ramírez H, Echeverría I, Benito AA, Glaria I, Benavides J, Pérez V, de Andrés D, Reina R. Accurate Diagnosis of Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection Is Needed for Selection of Resistant Sheep through TMEM154 E35K Genotyping. Pathogens 2021. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) cause an incurable multiorganic disease widely spread in sheep and goats that disturbs animal welfare and production. In the absence of a vaccine, control measures have been traditionally based on early diagnosis and breeding with virus-inactivated colostrum with segregation of seropositive animals. However, antigenic heterogeneity, poor antibody production due to low viral load, and single strain design of most available ELISA, pose a threat to SRLV diagnosis. Genome-wide association studies have described TMEM154 E35K polymorphism as a good genetic marker for selection of resistant animals in some American and European breeds. In this study, a multitargeted serological and virological screening of more than 500 animals from four different breeds (latxa, raza Navarra, assaf, and churra) attending to SRLV infection status was performed. Then, animals were genotyped to characterize TMEM154 E35K polymorphism. ELISA procedures, individually considered, only identified a proportion of the seropositive animals, and PCR detected a fraction of seronegative animals, globally offering different animal classifications according to SRLV infection status. TMEM154 allele frequency differed substantially among breeds and a positive association between seroprevalence and TMEM154 genotype was found only in one breed. Selection based on TMEM154 may be suitable for specific ovine breeds or SRLV strains, however generalization to the whole SRLV genetic spectrum, ovine breeds, or epidemiological situation may need further validation.
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Ramírez H, Echeverría I, Benito AA, Glaria I, Benavides J, Pérez V, de Andrés D, Reina R. Accurate Diagnosis of Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection Is Needed for Selection of Resistant Sheep through TMEM154 E35K Genotyping. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010083. [PMID: 33478070 PMCID: PMC7835874 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) cause an incurable multiorganic disease widely spread in sheep and goats that disturbs animal welfare and production. In the absence of a vaccine, control measures have been traditionally based on early diagnosis and breeding with virus-inactivated colostrum with segregation of seropositive animals. However, antigenic heterogeneity, poor antibody production due to low viral load, and single strain design of most available ELISA, pose a threat to SRLV diagnosis. Genome-wide association studies have described TMEM154 E35K polymorphism as a good genetic marker for selection of resistant animals in some American and European breeds. In this study, a multitargeted serological and virological screening of more than 500 animals from four different breeds (latxa, raza Navarra, assaf, and churra) attending to SRLV infection status was performed. Then, animals were genotyped to characterize TMEM154 E35K polymorphism. ELISA procedures, individually considered, only identified a proportion of the seropositive animals, and PCR detected a fraction of seronegative animals, globally offering different animal classifications according to SRLV infection status. TMEM154 allele frequency differed substantially among breeds and a positive association between seroprevalence and TMEM154 genotype was found only in one breed. Selection based on TMEM154 may be suitable for specific ovine breeds or SRLV strains, however generalization to the whole SRLV genetic spectrum, ovine breeds, or epidemiological situation may need further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Ramírez
- Virology, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Higher Education, Cuautitlan, Veterinary Medicine, Campus 4, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Km. 2.5 Carretera Cuautitlán-Teoloyucan, San Sebastián Xhala, Cuautitlán Izcalli Estado de México C.P. 54714, Mexico;
| | - Irache Echeverría
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB), CSIC-Government of Navarra, 31192 Navarra, Spain; (I.E.); (I.G.); (D.d.A.)
| | - Alfredo A. Benito
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, EXOPOL SL, 50840 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Idoia Glaria
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB), CSIC-Government of Navarra, 31192 Navarra, Spain; (I.E.); (I.G.); (D.d.A.)
| | - Julio Benavides
- Mountain Livestock Institute (IGM), CSIC-University of León, 24346 León, Spain;
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Damián de Andrés
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB), CSIC-Government of Navarra, 31192 Navarra, Spain; (I.E.); (I.G.); (D.d.A.)
| | - Ramsés Reina
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB), CSIC-Government of Navarra, 31192 Navarra, Spain; (I.E.); (I.G.); (D.d.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-948-168022
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Dickey AM, Smith TPL, Clawson ML, Heaton MP, Workman AM. Classification of small ruminant lentivirus subtype A2, subgroups 1 and 2 based on whole genome comparisons and complex recombination patterns. F1000Res 2020; 9:1449. [PMID: 35035904 PMCID: PMC8749911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.27898.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause a multisystemic chronic wasting disease in sheep across much of the world. SRLV subtype A2 is prevalent in North America and further classified into multiple subgroups based on variation in the group antigens gene (gag) and envelope (env) genes. In sheep, the ovine transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) gene is associated with SRLV susceptibility. Ewes with at least one copy of TMEM154 encoding a full-length protein with glutamate at position 35 (E35; haplotypes 2 and 3), are highly susceptible to SRLV infection while ewes with any combination of TMEM154 haplotypes which encodes lysine (K35; haplotype 1), or truncated proteins (haplotypes 4 and 6) are several times less so. A2 subgroups 1 and 2 are associated with host TMEM154 genotypes; subgroup 1 with the K35/K35 genotype and subgroup 2 with the E35/E35 genotype. Methods: Sequence variation within and among full-length assemblies of SRLV subtype A2 subgroups 1 and 2 was analyzed to identify genome-scale recombination patterns and subgroup-specific variants. Results: Consensus viral genomes were assembled from 23 infected sheep, including animals of assorted TMEM154 genotypes comprised of haplotypes 1, 2, or 3. Viral genome analysis identified viral subgroups 1 and 2 among the samples, and revealed additional sub-structure within subgroup 2 based on models predicting complex patterns of recombination between the two subgroups in several genomes. Animals with evidence of dual subgroup infection also possessed the most diverse quasi-species and the most highly recombined consensus genomes. After accounting for recombination, 413 subgroup diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Conclusions: The viral subgroup framework developed to classify SRLV consensus genomes along a continuum of recombination suggests that animals with the TMEM154 E35/K35 genotype may represent a reservoir for producing viral genomes representing recombination between A2 subgroups 1 and 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Dickey
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Timothy P. L. Smith
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Michael L. Clawson
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Michael P. Heaton
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
| | - Aspen M. Workman
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
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Lentivirus Susceptibility in Iranian and German Sheep Assessed by Determination of TMEM154 E35K. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090685. [PMID: 31540148 PMCID: PMC6770270 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There are no data on the effect of the transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) E35K variants on susceptibility to small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection in Iranian sheep breeds, and only limited data for German sheep flocks. This study aimed at investigating the association of TMEM154 variants and SRLV infection status in Iranian and German sheep flocks and breeds. Three out of the four analyzed sheep flocks/breeds showed a significant association between TMEM154 variants and SRLV prevalence. A complementary analysis was carried out based on regression analysis to test the relationship between frequency of the TMEM154 E allele and SRLV prevalence in different flocks/breeds. Results showed that the TMEM154 E allele frequencies could be useful for predicting genetic susceptibility to SRLV infection in a sheep flock or breed. Finally, the genetic susceptibility of different Iranian and German sheep breeds was compared based on the frequency of the TMEM154 E allele. Abstract Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause maedi-visna disease in sheep and are prevalent in Iran and Germany. The association of the transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) variants with SRLV infection has been previously identified by a genome-wide association (GWAS) approach and subsequent analyses, and validated in some US, German, and Turkish sheep flocks. We aimed at evaluating these findings for the first time in Iranian, and in some more German sheep flocks/breeds. Also, we aimed at comparing the SRLV susceptibility in Iranian and German sheep based on the frequency of the TMEM154 E35 allele. About 800 blood samples were collected from 21 Iranian and German sheep flocks/breeds for different purposes: (1) The association of TMEM154 E35K with SRLV infection status was tested in four sheep breeds and found to be significant in Kermani, Merinoland, and Brown Hair. (2) The usefulness of the TMEM154 E35 frequency for predicting SRLV susceptibility was evaluated by regression analysis, combining data from this study and some already published data. Results showed a significant association between E35 frequency and SRLV prevalence. (3) SRLV susceptibility was compared based on E35 frequency in Iranian and German sheep. Altogether, findings of this study provide valuable information on SRLV susceptibility, using TMEM154 E35, in Iranian and German sheep.
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