Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part J (2024)

Author(s): CM Vandana, TV Aravindakshan, M Shynu, G Radhika, Bindu Lakshmanan, Thomas Naicy and M Priya

Abstract: The present study was aimed at understanding the comparative expression of CD63 in Theileria infected Vechur and crossbred cattle PBMCs using qRT-PCR. CD63 is one among the exosomal markers which play a critical role in intercellular communications. It is expressed over the exosomes are involved in activation of immune cells, antiviral immunity and signal transduction. Theileriosis is potentially a fatal disease in crossbred cattle and is an important cause of economic loss in livestock production around the globe. Despite practicing control strategies like use of acaricides and cell culture vaccines, complete protection to the susceptible group of cattle is never attained. However, the current trend is to reduce the use of drugs and to implement more sustainable strategies like breeding for disease resistance. Several studies have identified significant breed specific differences in resistance to the disease which could be exploited for strategic breeding plan. The relative expression study of CD63 revealed that the gene was significantly upregulated in crossbred cattle PBMCs on infection (log₂fold change of 17.88, p≤0.01), whereas Vechur PBMCs did not exhibit significant changes. Further, a comparison of expression between infected PBMCs of crossbred and Vechur revealed a significantly higher expression in crossbred cattle PBMCs (log₂fold change of 78.25, p≤0.01). Considering the role played by CD63 in cellular proliferation and inflammatory response, it could be inferred that the Vechur cattle were more resistant to the parasite induced cellular changes which might have a contribution to the breed specific immunity.