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Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(2); e70230; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70230

Innate Immunity Toll-Like Triad TLR6-1-10 and Its Diversity in Distinct Horse Breeds.

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in innate immunity and developmental processes. Due to their nature as molecular pattern recognition receptors, their genetic diversity may reflect the effects of various pathogen pressures. Here, the extent of variability in the TLR1-6-10 gene cluster in three geographically and historically distinct breeds of horses was analysed. A genetically diverse group of representatives of 14 other horse breeds provided additional information on the variability of this gene cluster in the domestic horse. Altogether, 25 SNPs were identified in the TLR6-1-10 gene cluster across the 4 equine breed groups studied, of which 7 were synonymous and 18 non-synonymous. Twenty-eight inferred SNPs and 22 in silico translated amino acid haplotypes were identified. A predominant major haplotype present in all breed groups along with several group-specific haplotypes were identified. Strong linkage disequilibrium was detected for several SNPs, as well as effects of pervasive, site-specific selection. The existence of a major haplotype suggests it may confer a selective advantage across breeds. Less frequent breed-specific haplotypes may represent variability required or beneficial for responses to local pathogen pressures. Purifying site-specific selection was detected in the TIR domain and its vicinity in TLR6, whereas AA sites under diversifying selection were located in LRR domains and/or their surroundings in TLR1. Population structure models based on immune-related TLR6-1-10 markers did not distinguish between breed groups, whereas in models based on neutral microsatellite markers, breed groups clustered separately. This supports the assumption that the diversity of the TLR6-1-10 cluster is of adaptive value. The TLR6-1-10 alleles and haplotypes identified represent potential candidate markers for disease association studies.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-07 PubMed ID: 39918481DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70230Google 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.

The research investigates genetic diversity in a cluster of genes related to immune response across different breeds of horses. The findings highlight a common gene variation across all studied breeds and several breed-specific variations, suggesting their pivotal role in adapting to local pathogen pressures.

Investigating Genetic Diversity

  • The study analyses the genetic diversity in a specific group of genes, called the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 1-6-10 cluster, across varying horse breeds. TLRs play a critical role in innate immunity, the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, and developmental processes.
  • The researchers focused on three geographically and historically distinct breeds of horses, as well as a genetically diverse group from 14 other breeds.
  • The study identified 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or gene variations, in the TLR 1-6-10 cluster across the four groups of horse breeds analysed. Among these, seven causes no change in the resulting protein (synonymous), while 18 cause changes (non-synonymous).
  • The researchers found 28 inferred SNPs and 22 translated amino acid haplotypes, which are unique combinations of alleles for different genes present on one chromosome.

Major and Breed-Specific Haplotypes

  • Analysis suggested a major haplotype common across all studied breed groups and several group-specific haplotypes.
  • These breed-specific haplotypes may represent genetic variations favourable for responding to local pathogen pressures.
  • The existence of a predominant major haplotype suggests that it provides a selective advantage across horse breeds.

Implications of Linkage Disequilibrium and Site-Specific Selection

  • The study also noticed strong linkage disequilibrium for several SNPs, referring to a situation where some combinations of alleles occur more frequently than would be expected under a state of random association.
  • Effects of pervasive, site-specific selection were observed, suggesting that certain genetic variants are selected over time because they confer advantageous traits for survival.
  • A purifying site-specific selection, which favours the survival of one specific allele, was detected in the TIR domain in TLR6.
  • In contrast, certain areas in TLR1 were found under the influence of diversifying or positive selection, a mechanism that encourages genetic diversity within a population.

Potential Candidate Markers for Disease Association Studies

  • The alleles and haplotypes found in the TLR 1-6-10 cluster may serve as potential markers for investigating how genetics are associated with susceptibility or resistance to diseases in horses.
  • The results support the concept that genetic diversity in the TLR 1-6-10 cluster is crucial for adaptive immunity, highlighting its importance in understanding disease resistance and susceptibility across horse breeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Stejskalova K, Vychodilova L, Janova E, Oppelt J, Horin P. (2025). Innate Immunity Toll-Like Triad TLR6-1-10 and Its Diversity in Distinct Horse Breeds. Vet Med Sci, 11(2), e70230. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70230

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: e70230

Researcher Affiliations

Stejskalova, Karla
  • Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Vychodilova, Leona
  • Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Janova, Eva
  • Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
  • CEITEC VETUNI, RG Animal Immunogenomics, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Oppelt, Jan
  • CEITEC VETUNI, RG Animal Immunogenomics, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Horin, Petr
  • Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
  • CEITEC VETUNI, RG Animal Immunogenomics, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / genetics
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Haplotypes
  • Genetic Variation
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Toll-Like Receptors / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6 / genetics
  • Multigene Family
  • Linkage Disequilibrium

Grant Funding

  • 2021ITA12 / VETUNI

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