Transcriptomic analysis of bovine macrophages exposed to Rhipicephalus microplus saliva

This project aims to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Rhipicephalus microplus saliva (Rm-saliva) on bovine macrophages using RNA sequencing. CD14+ monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 4 healthy cattle and differentiated into macrophages with macrophage-colony stimulation factor (M-CSF) for 6 days. These macrophages were then stimulated with LPS and IFN-gamma in the presence of either Rm-saliva or PBS as a control for 24 hours. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to RNA sequencing.