mRNA Expression of Chemokine Genes in Bovine Tuberculosis Infected Crossbred Cattle

Host genetic variation in disease resistance is mainly attributable to variability in host immune responses to infection. Analysis of variation in host gene expression following M. bovis exposure and infection in cattle offers scope for a better understanding of the molecular regulation of the immune response. Present investigation was conducted to analyze expression profiles of chemokines CXCR3 and CCL1 using qRT-PCR in M. bovis infected cattle and healthy controls and to assess whether any inherent gene expression patterns are visible for these key innate immune response genes. Distinctive gene expression patterns were observed between M. bovis infected cattle and healthy controls. Expression of CXCR3 gene was significantly upregulated (5.22 fold, p=0.0225) in PBMCs of M. bovis infected cattle vis a vis healthy controls. CXCR3 and its ligands are associated with inflammatory diseases of importance to livestock as well as with protective immunity to infectious diseases and tumors. However for CCL1 gene, non significant differences in gene expression were observed between in macrophages of M bovis infected cattle and healthy controls. Distinctive mRNA expression pattern offer potential for developing biomarkers for diseases in livestock.