Immune and genomic characterization of Ibizan hound and its relationship with Leishmania infantum infection

Abstract

Abstract Ibizan hound is a canine breed native to the Mediterranean region, where leishmaniosis is an endemic zoonosis. Several studies indicate low prevalence of this disease in these dogs. In this study, descriptive immunological and genomic profiles of this breed have been elaborated. Results show relevant differences between the cytokine serum profile and the data published for other canine breeds, and several genetic fixed variants in genes related to immune response, regulation of immune system, and genes encode cytokines and its receptors in dog population studied. The most relevant genes that present such fixed polymorphisms were IFNG and IL6R. Other variants with frequencies equal or above 0.7 were found in the genes ARHGAP18, DAPK1, GNAI2, MITF, IL12RB1, LTBP1, SCL28A3, SCL35D2, PTPN22, CIITA, THEMIS, CD180. Epigenetic regulatory genes as HEY2, L3MBTL3 show also intronic polymorphisms. Results pointed out that the regulation of immune response is different in the Ibizan hound dogs compared to other breeds. Future studies are needed to elucidate detected differences and their relationship to low prevalence of L. infantum infection in the breed.