Gene expression profiles of immune-regulatory genes in whole blood of cattle with a subclinical infection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

PLoS One. 2018 Apr 26;13(4):e0196502. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196502. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Johne's disease is a chronic wasting disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), resulting in inflammation of intestines and persistent diarrhea. The initial host response against MAP infections is mainly regulated by the Th1 response, which is characterized by the production of IFN-γ. With the progression of disease, MAP can survive in the host through the evasion of the host's immune response by manipulating the host immune response. However, the host response during subclinical phases has not been fully understood. Immune regulatory genes, including Th17-derived cytokines, interferon regulatory factors, and calcium signaling-associated genes, are hypothesized to play an important role during subclinical phases of Johne's disease. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyze the expression profiles of immune regulatory genes during MAP infection in whole blood. Different expression patterns of genes were identified depending on the infection stages. Downregulation of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-26, HMGB1, and IRF4 and upregulation of PIP5K1C indicate suppression of the Th1 response due to MAP infection and loss of granuloma integrity. In addition, increased expression of IRF5 and IRF7 suggest activation of IFN-α/β signaling during subclinical stages, which induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase mediated depletion of tryptophan metabolism. Increased expression of CORO1A indicate modulation of calcium signaling, which enhanced the survival of MAP. Taken together, distinct host gene expression induced by MAP infection indicates enhanced survival of MAP during subclinical stages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / immunology
  • Cattle Diseases / microbiology
  • Cattle Diseases / pathology*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • HMGB1 Protein / blood
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics
  • HMGB1 Protein / metabolism
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / blood
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins / blood
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / pathogenicity*
  • Paratuberculosis / immunology
  • Paratuberculosis / microbiology
  • Paratuberculosis / pathology*
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / blood
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Transcriptome*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • coronin proteins
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • 1-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (project no. PJ00897001), Rural Development Administration, BK21 PLUS and the Research Institute for Veterinary Sciences, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.