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Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2019; 137(2); 223-233; doi: 10.1111/jbg.12436

Genome-wide association study for insect bite hypersensitivity susceptibility in horses revealed novel associated loci on chromosome 1.

Abstract: Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a pruritic skin allergy caused primarily by biting midges, Culicoides spp. IBH susceptibility has polygenic inheritance and occurs at high frequencies in several horse breeds worldwide, causing increased costs and reduced welfare of affected horses. The aim of this study was to identify and validate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with equine IBH susceptibility. After quality control, 33,523 SNPs were included in a Bayesian genome-wide association study on 177 affected and 178 unaffected Icelandic horses. We report associated regions in E. caballus (ECA) 1, 3, 15 and 18, overlapping with known IBH QTLs in horses, and novel regions containing several genes, together explaining 11.46% of the total genetic variance. For validation, three SNPs on ECA 1 and ECA X (explaining the largest percentage of genetic variance) within 1-mb genomic windows for IBH were genotyped in an independent population of 280 Exmoor ponies. The associated genomic region (152-153 mb) on ECA 1 was confirmed in Exmoor ponies and contains the AQR gene involved in splicing processes and a long non-coding RNA. This study confirms the polygenic nature of IBH susceptibility and suggests a role of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms (e.g., alternative splicing) for IBH predisposition in these horse breeds.
© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-05 PubMed ID: 31489730DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12436Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study focuses on discovering genetic origins for the susceptibility of horses to insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), a skin allergy caused by biting midges. The researchers have identified and qualified certain genetic variations associated with this vulnerability, providing insights into the genes and regulatory processes involved in these horse breeds’ predisposition to IBH.

Research Background

  • The focus of the research was equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), a skin allergy in horses that results from bites by midges, primarily of the Culicoides species. This condition is not only common in certain horse breeds but also poses a financial strain due to increased care and management costs.
  • IBH is inherited polygenically, meaning multiple genes contribute to its occurrence. The researchers aimed to pinpoint single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—variations in individual DNA building blocks—that associate with a susceptibility to this condition.

Methodology

  • The team performed a genome-wide association study, examining genetic variants across entire genomes to find genetic associations with a particular trait—in this case, IBH.
  • The subjects of the research were 177 Icelandic horses affected by IBH and 178 unaffected ones. After quality control measures, the scientists examined 33,523 SNPs for their correlation with IBH presence.

Results

  • The study identified associated regions in equine chromosomes 1, 3, 15, and 18. Some of these overlapped with areas previously known to be linked with IBH in horses, while others were newly associated regions.
  • The areas identified by the research team collectively explained about 11.46% of the total genetic variance—variation in a particular trait attributable to genetic factors—in relation to IBH.

Validation and Novel Findings

  • For validation, the scientists examined three SNPs; on equine chromosomes 1 and X, which explained the most significant portion of genetic variance, in an independent population of 280 Exmoor ponies.
  • A previously associated genomic region on chromosome 1 (at 152-153 mb) was validated in the Exmoor ponies. This region contains the AQR gene, which is involved in the process of splicing—editing out introns, or non-coding sections of pre-messenger RNA, before translation into proteins. It also harbors a long non-coding RNA (a form of RNA that does not code for proteins but often has regulatory functions).

Conclusions

  • The results confirm that multiple genes contribute to IBH susceptibility in horses, underlining its polygenic nature.
  • The investigation also suggests that the underlying mechanism for IBH predisposition in these horse breeds could involve transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, such as alternative splicing.

Cite This Article

APA
Shrestha M, Solé M, Ducro BJ, Sundquist M, Thomas R, Schurink A, Eriksson S, Lindgren G. (2019). Genome-wide association study for insect bite hypersensitivity susceptibility in horses revealed novel associated loci on chromosome 1. J Anim Breed Genet, 137(2), 223-233. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12436

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 137
Issue: 2
Pages: 223-233

Researcher Affiliations

Shrestha, Merina
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Solé, Marina
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ducro, Bart J
  • Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Sundquist, Marie
  • Östra Greda Research Group, Borgholm, Sweden.
Thomas, Ruth
  • The Exmoor Pony Society, Woodmans, Deveon, UK.
Schurink, Anouk
  • Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Eriksson, Susanne
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindgren, Gabriella
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Chromosome Mapping / veterinary
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome-Wide Association Study / veterinary
  • Genotype
  • Horse Diseases / genetics
  • Horses / genetics
  • Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Hypersensitivity / veterinary
  • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
  • Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
  • Male
  • Multifactorial Inheritance
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Quantitative Trait Loci

Grant Funding

  • FP7/2007-2013 / Research Executive Agency

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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  3. Barbosa JD, Sodré MHS, Barbosa CC, da Costa PSC, Oliveira CMC, Ferreira TTA, da Silveira JAS, Lamego EC, Paz MC, Caldeira RD, Magalhães Matos PC, Serruya A, Salvarani FM, Silveira NDSES. Allergic Dermatitis in Pêga Breed Donkeys (Equus asinus) Caused by Culicoides Bites in the Amazon Biome, Pará, Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
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