Genome-wide association study of equine herpesvirus type 1-induced myeloencephalopathy identifies a significant single nucleotide polymorphism in a platelet-related gene

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-54
Journal / PublicationThe Veterinary Journal
Volume245
Online published12 Dec 2018
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1)-induced myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a neurologic disease of horses that represents one outcome of infection. The neurologic form of disease occurs in a subset of infected horses when virus-induced endothelial cell damage triggers vasculitis and subsequent ischemic insult to the central nervous system. EHM causes considerable animal suffering and economic loss for the horse industry. Virus polymorphisms have been previously associated with disease outcome but cannot fully explain why only some horses develop EHM. This study investigated the role of host genetics in EHM. DNA samples were collected from 129 horses infected with EHV-1 (61 that developed EHM and 68 in which disease resolved without the development of neurologic signs) during natural outbreaks or experimental infections. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to investigate host genetic variations associated with EHM. Genotyping was performed using the Illumina SNP50 and SNP70 arrays and a custom Sequenom array. Mixed linear model (MLM) analysis using a recessive model identified one marker that surpassed the threshold for genome-wide significance (P < 0.001) after Bonferroni correction. The marker (BIEC2_946397) is in an intron of the tetraspanin 9 (TSPAN9) gene, which is expressed in endothelial cells and platelets. The GWAS identified a region in the horse genome that is associated with EHM in the sample population and thus warrants further exploration. Understanding the contribution of host genetic variation to the development of EHM will enhance our knowledge of disease pathophysiology, and lead to improved strategies for treating individual cases and managing outbreaks.

Research Area(s)

  • Equine, Equine herpesvirus 1, Genome-wide association study, Virology

Citation Format(s)

Genome-wide association study of equine herpesvirus type 1-induced myeloencephalopathy identifies a significant single nucleotide polymorphism in a platelet-related gene. / Brosnahan, M.M.; Al Abri, M.A.; Brooks, S.A. et al.
In: The Veterinary Journal, Vol. 245, 03.2019, p. 49-54.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review