Polymorphisms of the immune-modulating receptor dectin-1 in pigs: their functional influence and distribution in pig populations

C-Type Lectins in Veterinary Species: Recent Advancements and Applications

C-type lectins (CTLs), a superfamily of glycan-binding receptors, play a pivotal role in the host defense against pathogens and the maintenance of immune homeostasis of higher animals and humans. CTLs in innate immunity serve as pattern recognition receptors and often bind to glycan structures in damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. While CTLs are found throughout the whole animal kingdom, their ligand specificities and downstream signaling have mainly been studied in humans and in model organisms such as mice. In this review, recent advancements in CTL research in veterinary species as well as potential applications of CTL targeting in veterinary medicine are outlined.

Association of Bovine CLEC7A gene polymorphism with host susceptibility to paratuberculosis disease in Indian cattle

Bovine CLEC7A gene, encodes Dectin-1, an important pattern recognition molecule that generates proinflammatory response against mycobacterium. The aim of the present study was to identify single nuceotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene CLEC7A and to evaluate association of these SNPs with occurrence of paratuberculosis (PTB) in cattle. A total of 213 cattle from three different farms were subjected to single intradermal Johnin test, ELISA test, faecal microscopy and faecal culture for establishment of case-control resource population. A total 6 SNPs viz. rs110353594, rs110671821, rs110343521, rs41654445, rs109429379 and rs109280145 in gene CLEC7A were investigated for association with susceptibility/resistance to PTB. All the six SNPs were found to be polymorphic in case-control population. SNP rs41654445 was significantly (P < .01) associated with PTB and odds ratio (OR) indicated that TT genotype had more prevalence than CC and CT genotype in case population and probability for getting PTB infection in animals with T allele was 12 times more as compared to C allele. For SNP rs110353594, T allele was significantly (P < .01) higher in case population as compared to control population and the probability for getting infection in animals with C allele was one third as compared to T allele. SNP rs41654445 was non-synonymous, while SNP rs110353594 was located in promoter region suggesting their functional role in the immune response against bovine PTB. SNP s41654445 and rs110353594 can be incorporated in marker panel for selection of animals with greater resistance to MAP after validation in independent, larger resource population and following biological characterization.