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Transcript Profiling of Toll-Like Receptor mRNAs in Selected Tissues of Mink (Neovison vison)
Mingwei Tong1, Li Yi1, Yuening Cheng1
1State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130122, Jilin Province, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can recognize conserved molecular patterns and initiate a wide range of innate and adaptive immune responses against invading infectious agents. The aim of this study was to assess the transcript profile of mink TLRs (mTLRs) in mink peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and a range of tissues, and to explore the potential role of mTLRs in the antiviral immune response process. The results indicated that the mTLR partial nucleotide sequences had a high degree of nucleotide identity with ferret sequences (95-98%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that mammalian TLRs grouped into five TLR families, with a closer relationship of the mTLRs with those of ferret than the other mammalian sequences. Moreover, all the mTLRs were ubiquitously expressed in lymphoid organs (spleen and lymph nodes) and PBMCs. Interestingly, the mTLR expression patterns in lung, uterus, and heart showed quite a lot of similarity. Another remarkable observation was the wide expression of mTLR1-3 mRNAs in all tissues. Among the analyzed tissues, skeletal muscle was revealed to being the lowest repertoire of mTLR expression. Additionally, mink PBMCs exposed to the canine distemper virus revealed significant upregulation of mTLR2, mTLR4, mTLR7, and mTLR8 mRNAs, indicating that mTLRs have a role in innate immunity in the mink. Collectively, our results are the first to establish the basic expression patterns of mTLRs and the relationship between mTLRs and a virus, which will contribute to better understanding of the evolution and the functions of mTLRs in the innate immune system in minks.
Insights
This study maps mink Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their expression. Mink TLRs show high similarity to ferret TLRs and play a role in antiviral immunity, particularly against canine distemper virus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial for recognizing pathogens and initiating immune responses.
- Understanding TLR expression in mink is vital for their innate immunity and disease resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the transcript profile of mink Toll-like receptors (mTLRs) in various tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- To investigate the potential role of mTLRs in the antiviral immune response in mink.
Main Methods:
- Partial nucleotide sequencing of mTLRs.
- Phylogenetic analysis of mTLR sequences.
- Quantitative analysis of mTLR gene expression in mink tissues and PBMCs, including after viral challenge.
Main Results:
- mTLR sequences exhibit high nucleotide identity with ferret sequences (95-98%) and cluster closely in phylogenetic analyses.
- mTLRs are ubiquitously expressed in lymphoid organs and PBMCs, with distinct patterns in other tissues; skeletal muscle shows the lowest expression.
- Exposure to canine distemper virus significantly upregulates mTLR2, mTLR4, mTLR7, and mTLR8 in mink PBMCs.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive expression patterns of mTLRs in mink.
- mTLRs are involved in the innate immune response of mink, particularly in antiviral defense against viruses like canine distemper virus.
- Findings contribute to understanding TLR evolution and function in mink innate immunity.
