title: Identifying host pathogenic pathways in bovine digital dermatitis by RNA-Seq analysis.
abstract: Digital dermatitis is a painful foot disease compromising welfare in dairy cattle. The disease has a complex multibacterial aetiology, but little is known about its pathogenesis. In this study, gene expression in skin biopsies from five bovine digital dermatitis lesions and five healthy bovine feet was compared using RNA-Seq technology. Differential gene expression was determined after mapping transcripts to the Btau 4.0 genome. Pathway analysis identified gene networks involving differentially expressed transcripts. Bovine digital dermatitis lesions had increased expression of mRNA for α2-macroglobulin-like 1, a protein potentially involved in bacterial immune evasion and bacterial survival. There was increased expression of keratin 6A and interleukin 1β mRNA in bovine digital dermatitis lesions, but reduced expression of most other keratin and keratin-associated genes. There was little evidence of local immune reactions to the bacterial infection present in lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK. Electronic address: Rachel.Scholey@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Scholey
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Blowey
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ollier
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: Bovine digital dermatitis; Keratin; Pathway analysis; RNA-Seq; α2-Macroglobulin-like 1