Comparative gene expression profile in circulating PBMCs of Bos indicus and crossbred cattle to understand disease tolerance mechanism

The present investigation was performed to compare the global gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Bos indicus and crossbred (Bos taurus × B. indicus) cattle. Previously, several studies revealed the disease tolerance potential of B. indicus cattle but underlying genetic mechanism is still not fully explored. The PBMCs model was used for this investigation as it plays crucial role in the immune system regulation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed total 6767 significantly differentially expressed transcripts (fold change (absolute) >2.0, p viz. innate immune response, antigen processing and presentation, MHC protein complex, defense response to bacterium, regulation of immune response, positive regulation of JAK-STAT cascade, cytoskeletal protein binding, etc. Protein–protein interaction network analysis provided understanding of inter-relationship of immune genes with differentially expressed genes. In conclusion, this study could provide comprehensive information about the dysregulated genes and biological pathways in PBMCs which might be responsible for disease tolerance in B. indicus cattle.