Immunogenomic analysis of insect bite hypersensitivity in a model horse population.
Abstract: Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal IgE-mediated dermatosis caused by bites of insects of the genus Culicoides. A familial predisposition for the disease has been shown but, except for the MHC, the genes involved have not been identified so far. An immunogenomic analysis of IBH was performed in a model population of Old Kladruby horses, all living in the same environment. Clinical signs of IBH were used as phenotypic manifestation of IBH. Furthermore, total serum IgE levels were determined in the sera of these horses and used as an independent phenotypic marker for the immunogenetic analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate immunity-related genes were used for association analyses. Genotypes composed of two to five genes encoding interferon gamma -IFNG, transforming growth factor beta 1 -TGFB1, Janus kinase 2 -JAK2, thymic stromal lymphopoietin -TSLP, and involucrin -IVL were associated with IBH, indicating a role of the genes in the pathogenesis of IBH. These findings were supported by analysis of gene expression in skin biopsies of 15 affected and 15 unaffected horses. Two markers associated with IBH, IFNG and TGFB1, showed differences in mRNA expression in skin biopsies from IBH-affected and non-affected horses (p<0.05). Expression of the gene coding for the CD14 receptor molecule -CD14 was different in skin biopsies at p<0.06. When total IgE levels were treated as binary traits, genotypes of IGHE, ELA-DRA, and IL10/b were associated with this trait. When treated as a continuous trait, total IgE levels were associated with genes IGHE, FCER1A, IL4, IL4R, IL10, IL1RA, and JAK2. This first report on non-MHC genes associated with IBH in horses is thus supported by differences in expression of genes known to play a role in allergy and immunity.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-01-03 PubMed ID: 23351640DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.12.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Allergies
- Clinical Signs
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Equine Diseases
- Genetics
- Genomics
- Genotyping
- Horses
- Immune Response
- Immune System
- Immunoglobulin E
- Immunology
- Inflammation
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity
- Interferons
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
- Pathogenesis
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
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 research focuses on identifying the genes associated with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses, using the Old Kladruby horse population as a model. The research showed that certain gene combinations are associated with IBH and these findings were further supported by differences in gene expression in skin biopsies from horses affected with IBH.
Research Context
- The study evaluates the genetic basis of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), a seasonal dermatosis in horses triggered by insect bites, especially by the Culicoides species.
- The researchers leveraged a population of Old Kladruby horses living in the same environment to perform immunogenomic analysis.
- IBH has been known to show familial predisposition, but genes involved, besides the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), had not been identified.
Study Methodology
- Researchers utilized clinical signs of IBH as the phenotype for the study.
- As an independent phenotypic marker, total serum IgE levels in the horse serum were evaluated.
- The association analysis was completed using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate immunity-related genes.
Key Findings
- The genes IFNG (interferon gamma), TGFB1 (transforming growth factor beta 1), JAK2 (Janus kinase 2), TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin), and IVL (involucrin) were associated with IBH when their genotypes comprised of two to five genes.
- These associations indicated that these genes might be playing a role in IBH pathogenesis.
- Two markers, IFNG and TGFB1, showed differences in mRNA expression in skin biopsies from IBH-affected and non-affected horses.
- When total IgE levels were classified as binary traits, genes IGHE, ELA-DRA, and IL10/b were linked to this trait.
- Genes IGHE, FCER1A, IL4, IL4R, IL10, IL1RA, and JAK2 were associated with total IgE levels when they were treated as a continuous trait, confirming the role of these genes in the immunogenomic landscape of IBH.
- Overall, the study presented the first report on non-MHC genes linked with IBH in horses, which is corroborated by differences in expression of genes known to play a role in allergy and immunity.
Cite This Article
APA
Vychodilova L, Matiasovic J, Bobrova O, Futas J, Klumplerova M, Stejskalova K, Cvanova M, Janova E, Osickova J, Vyskocil M, Sedlinska M, Dusek L, Marti E, Horin P.
(2013).
Immunogenomic analysis of insect bite hypersensitivity in a model horse population.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 152(3-4), 260-268.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.12.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1/3, Brno, Czech Republic.
MeSH Terms
- Allergens / immunology
- Animals
- Ceratopogonidae / immunology
- Cytokines / genetics
- Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics
- Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
- Dermatitis, Atopic / veterinary
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Immunoglobulin E / blood
- Insect Bites and Stings / genetics
- Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
- Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
- Interferon-gamma / genetics
- Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
- Major Histocompatibility Complex
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Protein Precursors / genetics
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- Salivary Proteins and Peptides / immunology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics
- Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Kvist L, Honka J, Niskanen M, Liedes O, Aspi J. Selection in the Finnhorse, a native all-around horse breed. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):188-203.
- Olomski F, Fettelschoss V, Jonsdottir S, Birkmann K, Thoms F, Marti E, Bachmann MF, Kündig TM, Fettelschoss-Gabriel A. Interleukin 31 in insect bite hypersensitivity-Alleviating clinical symptoms by active vaccination against itch. Allergy 2020 Apr;75(4):862-871.
- Stejskalova K, Janova E, Horecky C, Horecka E, Vaclavek P, Hubalek Z, Relling K, Cvanova M, D'Amico G, Mihalca AD, Modry D, Knoll A, Horin P. Associations between the presence of specific antibodies to the West Nile Virus infection and candidate genes in Romanian horses from the Danube delta. Mol Biol Rep 2019 Aug;46(4):4453-4461.
- Schurink A, da Silva VH, Velie BD, Dibbits BW, Crooijmans RPMA, Franҫois L, Janssens S, Stinckens A, Blott S, Buys N, Lindgren G, Ducro BJ. Copy number variations in Friesian horses and genetic risk factors for insect bite hypersensitivity. BMC Genet 2018 Jul 30;19(1):49.
- Lomas HR, Robinson PA. A Pilot Qualitative Investigation of Stakeholders' Experiences and Opinions of Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in England. Vet Sci 2018 Jan 9;5(1).
- Janova E, Futas J, Klumplerova M, Putnova L, Vrtkova I, Vyskocil M, Frolkova P, Horin P. Genetic diversity and conservation in a small endangered horse population. J Appl Genet 2013 Aug;54(3):285-92.
- Stejskalova K, Vychodilova L, Janova E, Oppelt J, Horin P. Innate Immunity Toll-Like Triad TLR6-1-10 and Its Diversity in Distinct Horse Breeds. Vet Med Sci 2025 Mar;11(2):e70230.
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