Transcriptome analysis of bovine macrophages (BoMac) cells after infection with bovine immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Introduction: Bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) is found worldwide in cattle under natural conditions. However, the effect of BIV infection on immune functions has not been fully characterized. Material and Methods: Transcriptome analysis of BoMac cells after in vitro infection with BIV was performed using BLOPlus bovine microarrays. Genes identified as differentially expressed were subjected to the functional analysis in Ingenuity Knowledge Base (IPA). Results: Out of 1743 genes with altered expression 1315 were mapped as unique molecules. In total 718 genes were identified as up regulated and 597 genes as down regulated. Differentially expressed genes were involved in 16 pathways related to immune response. The top enriched canonical pathway was ‘Leukocyte Extravasation Signaling’. Furthermore ‘Il-15 production’ was indicated as the most activated pathway and ‘PFKFB4 Signaling Pathway’ was the most inhibited one. In addition, the study showed that inflammatory response was decreased during BIV infection. Conclusion: This is the first report describing the microarray analysis of changes in gene expression upon BIV infection of bovine macrophages. Our data indicated how BIV influence the expression of genes and signaling pathways engaged in immune response.