Identification of DNA methylation markers for age and Bovine Respiratory Disease in dairy cattle: A pilot study based on Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing

Attree, E ORCID: 0000-0002-8129-3006, Griffiths, B ORCID: 0000-0002-2698-9561, Panchal, K, Xia, D ORCID: 0000-0003-4571-2776, Werling, D, Banos, G, Oikonomou, G ORCID: 0000-0002-4451-4199 and Psifidi, A ORCID: 0000-0003-4095-1452 (2024) Identification of DNA methylation markers for age and Bovine Respiratory Disease in dairy cattle: A pilot study based on Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing Communications Biology, 7 (1). 1251-. ISSN 2399-3642, 2399-3642

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Abstract

Methylation profiles of animals are known to differ by age and disease status. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a complex infectious disease, primarily affects calves and has significant impact on animal welfare and the cattle industry, due to production losses, increased veterinary costs as well as animal losses. BRD susceptibility is multifactorial, influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. We have performed a pilot study to investigate the epigenetic profile of BRD susceptibility in six calves (three healthy versus three diagnosed with BRD) and age-related methylation differences between healthy calves and adult dairy cows (three calves versus four adult cows) using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS). We identified 2537 genes within differentially methylated regions between calves and adults. Functional analysis revealed enrichment of developmental pathways including cell fate commitment and tissue morphogenesis. Between healthy and BRD affected calves, 964 genes were identified within differentially methylated regions. Immune and vasculature regulatory pathways were enriched and key candidates in BRD susceptibility involved in complement cascade regulation, vasoconstriction and respiratory cilia structure and function were identified. Further studies with a greater sample size are needed to validate these findings and formulate integration into breeding programmes aiming to increase animal longevity and disease resistance.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals, Cattle, Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, Sulfites, Genetic Markers, Pilot Projects, Sequence Analysis, DNA, DNA Methylation, Epigenesis, Genetic, Aging, Female
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2024 13:03
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2026 13:59
DOI:	10.1038/s42003-024-06925-9
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3184885
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