Common and Differential Dynamics of the Function of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells between Holstein and Jersey Cows in Heat-Stress Environment

Abstract

Heat stress has been reported to affect the immunity of dairy cows. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not fully understood. Two breeds of dairy cow, Holstein and Jersey, have distinct characteristics, including productivity, heat resistance, and disease in high-temperature environments. The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of the immune response of two breeds of dairy cow to environmental change. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) results were analyzed to characterize the gene expression change of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Holstein and Jersey cows between moderate temperature-humidity index (THI) and high THI environmental conditions. Many of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified are associated with critical immunological functions, particularly phagocytosis, chemokines, and cytokine response. Among the DEGs, CXCL3 and IL1A were the top down-regulated genes in both breeds of dairy cow, and many DEGs were related to antimicrobial immunity. Functional analysis revealed that cytokine and chemokine response-associated pathways in both Holstein and Jersey PBMCs were the most important pathways affected by the THI environmental condition. However, there were also breed-specific genes and pathways that altered according to THI environmental condition. Collectively, there were both common and breed-specific altered genes and pathways in Holstein and Jersey cows. The findings of this study expand our understanding of the dynamics of immunity in different breeds of dairy cow between moderate THI and high THI environmental conditions.

Genomic diversity and relationship analyses of endangered German Black Pied cattle (DSN) to 68 other taurine breeds based on whole-genome sequencing

“…BTA 7 showed a series of olfactory receptor genes. GCSAML, a germinal center associated signaling and motility like gene of mature B lymphocytes, was reported to be significantly down-regulated in Holstein cows under heat-stress conditions ( Kim et al, 2021 ). Mammalian olfactory receptors are encoded by the largest mammalian multigene family, containing 881 genes on 26 chromosomes.…”

Comparison between indicine and taurine cattle DNA methylation reveals epigenetic variation associated to differences in morphological adaptive traits

“…LOC112444653 methylation was recently reported to change in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Holstein and Jersey cows in response to heat stress. The locus has a potential role in regulating animal adaptive plasticity as a function of environmental conditions [ 48 ].…”

Effects of rumen-protective γ-aminobutyric acid additive on lactation performance and serum biochemistry in heat-stressed cows

“…stress may also lead to inflammation, as evidenced by increased serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cows (39). It is known that increased temperature leads to increased synthesis of HSP, and in particular HSP-70 expression is increased in heat-stressed cows, which has a protective effect against cellular stress (40)(41)(42). In our study, the addition of RP-GABA had no effect on IgG, IL-6, TNF-α and HSP-70 in cow serum, which is inconsistent with our hypothesis.…”