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Home / Equine Research Bank / Life (Basel) / Bridging Breeds: Transcriptomic Insights into Immune Traits ...
Life (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 15(10); 1496; doi: 10.3390/life15101496

Bridging Breeds: Transcriptomic Insights into Immune Traits of Yili, Thoroughbred, and Kazakh Horses.

Abstract: Studying the genetic characteristics and molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in horses is of great significance for protecting their genetic resources, improving breeding strategies, and enhancing their disease resistance, thereby ensuring their healthy performance in both sports and production. Objective: This study investigates the genetic characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying immune regulation in Yili horses, comparing them with Thoroughbreds and Kazakh horses. Methods: Blood samples from each breed were analyzed for physiological, biochemical, and immune indices alongside transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results: The results revealed significant differences in neutrophil counts, monocytes, red blood cell parameters, glucose levels, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) among breeds. Yili horses exhibited intermediate values for most parameters, aligning more closely with Thoroughbreds. Transcriptomic analysis identified 3574 DEGs, enriched in immune-related pathways such as platelet activation, antigen processing, and cytokine signaling. Key genes, including TNFRSF14, IFIT3, and IL21R, correlated with immune traits, highlighting hybrid vigor in Yili horses. Functional enrichment underscored pathways like IL-17 signaling and NF-κB regulation, linking genetic differences to immune adaptability. Conclusions: These findings provide molecular insights into breed-specific immune traits, supporting strategies to enhance disease resilience in Yili horses while preserving their athletic performance. This study underscores the importance of integrating transcriptomic and phenotypic data for informed breeding practices in equine conservation and improvement.
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Publication Date: 2025-09-23 PubMed ID: 41157169PubMed Central: PMC12565139DOI: 10.3390/life15101496Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This research explores the immune system characteristics of three horse breeds—Yili, Thoroughbred, and Kazakh—by examining their blood parameters and gene expression profiles.
  • The study aims to understand the genetic and molecular bases of immune regulation to improve horse breeding and disease resistance, particularly focusing on the Yili breed’s hybrid vigor.

Introduction and Research Objective

  • The immune regulation genetics of horses are critical for maintaining genetic diversity, enhancing disease resistance, and improving breeding strategies.
  • The research compares Yili horses, which exhibit hybrid traits, with Thoroughbred and Kazakh horses to investigate physiological, biochemical, immune traits, and underlying molecular mechanisms.
  • The main goal is to identify breed-specific immune characteristics at both the phenotypic and transcriptomic levels to guide better horse breeding and health management.

Methods

  • Blood samples were collected from Yili, Thoroughbred, and Kazakh horses.
  • Physiological and biochemical parameters were measured, including:
    • Neutrophil and monocyte counts
    • Red blood cell (RBC) indices
    • Glucose concentration
    • Immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, IgM)
  • Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on these samples to:
    • Identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between breeds
    • Explore functional pathways related to immune response

Results: Physiological and Biochemical Findings

  • Significant differences were found among the breeds regarding multiple immune and blood parameters:
    • Neutrophil and monocyte counts varied, reflecting differing immune cell distributions.
    • RBC-related parameters showed differences relevant to oxygen transport and overall health status.
    • Glucose levels differed, potentially indicating metabolic variations.
    • Levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) showed breed-specific immune readiness and capability.
  • Yili horses exhibited intermediate results for most parameters, generally aligning closer to Thoroughbreds, indicating hybrid vigor.

Results: Transcriptomic Analysis and Gene Expression

  • A total of 3,574 differentially expressed genes were identified among the breeds.
  • These DEGs were enriched in immune-relevant biological pathways, including:
    • Platelet activation
    • Antigen processing and presentation
    • Cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and signaling
  • Key immune-related genes such as TNFRSF14, IFIT3, and IL21R showed expression patterns correlated with immune traits across the breeds.
  • Yili horses displayed gene expression signatures consistent with enhanced immune adaptability and hybrid vigor, supporting their balanced immune system.

Functional Pathway Enrichments

  • Pathway analysis highlighted several immune regulation mechanisms:
    • IL-17 signaling pathway: important in inflammation and pathogen defense.
    • NF-κB signaling pathway: central to immune response regulation and inflammation control.
  • These pathways link genetic differences to physical immune traits and suggest molecular bases for breed-specific disease resistance and adaptability.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study provides important molecular insights into how immune traits vary genetically and physiologically among Yili, Thoroughbred, and Kazakh horses.
  • Yili horses, showing hybrid vigor, combine favorable immune traits potentially beneficial for resilience against diseases without compromising athletic performance.
  • Integrating transcriptomic and phenotypic data can guide:
    • Selective breeding strategies to improve disease resistance
    • Conservation of valuable equine genetic resources
    • Better management practices to maintain health and performance in horse populations
  • The work advances knowledge for equine health and conservation, emphasizing the role of modern molecular techniques in traditional animal breeding programs.

Cite This Article

APA
Wang T, Yang X, Wang C, Wang J, Meng J, Yao X, Zeng Y, Ren W. (2025). Bridging Breeds: Transcriptomic Insights into Immune Traits of Yili, Thoroughbred, and Kazakh Horses. Life (Basel), 15(10), 1496. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101496

Publication

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2075-1729
NlmUniqueID: 101580444
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 10
PII: 1496

Researcher Affiliations

Wang, Tongliang
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Yang, Xixi
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Wang, Chuankun
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Wang, Jianwen
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Meng, Jun
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Yao, Xinkui
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Zeng, Yaqi
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Ren, Wanlu
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.

Grant Funding

  • 32202667 / National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Program
  • 2022A02013-1 / Major Science and Technology Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
  • ZYYD2025JD02 / Central Guidance Project for Local Science and Technology Development - (Research on the Regu-lation Mechanism of Horse Breeding and Athletic Performance)
  • 2024D01B40 / The Youth Science Fund of the Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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