Gene expression response of wolf epidermal keratinocytes to PolyI:C and canine distemper virus

The goal of the study was to test whether CBD103 genotype of North American gray wolves impacts the gene expression response to polyI:C or to live canine distemper virus. We established 24 primary cultures of epidermal keratinocytes from skin punches of North American gray wolves, and also generated an immortalized keratinocyte line and a CRISPR/Cas9 edited cell line. We evaluated the gene expression response of cells to either 24 hours challenge with 1 ug/ml polyI:C or to five days challenge with live canine distemper virus (100 TCID50/ml). Every challenged cell culture had a paired null control sample (plated and collected at same time points). Overall design: mRNA profiles of epidermal keratinocytes from 24 North American gray wolves (Canis lupus), representing 14 and 10 wolves with the Kyy and KyB CBD103 genotypes, respectively. We tested for an effect of CBD103 genotype on the gene expression response to polyI:C (N = 48 samples), to canine distemper virus (N = 12), and to polyI:C after cell immortalization (N = 8).