Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.

Liver abscesses are a significant concern in cattle feeding, linked to visceral condemnation and carcass trimming; however, the molecular mechanism of development and progression of liver abscesses is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic transcriptomic profile, immunohistochemistry, and...

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Main Authors: Luana D Felizari, Sydney M Bowman, Chiquito J Crasto, Jhones O Sarturi, Dale R Woerner, Bradley J Johnson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324209
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author Luana D Felizari
Sydney M Bowman
Chiquito J Crasto
Jhones O Sarturi
Dale R Woerner
Bradley J Johnson
author_facet Luana D Felizari
Sydney M Bowman
Chiquito J Crasto
Jhones O Sarturi
Dale R Woerner
Bradley J Johnson
author_sort Luana D Felizari
collection DOAJ
description Liver abscesses are a significant concern in cattle feeding, linked to visceral condemnation and carcass trimming; however, the molecular mechanism of development and progression of liver abscesses is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic transcriptomic profile, immunohistochemistry, and IGF-I circulation in beef × dairy (Angus × Holstein) steers with and without liver abscesses. Samples were collected from twelve steers (final body weight of 719 ± 5.8 kg) originating from the same feedlot and were selected based on liver scores at harvest. The animals were divided into abscessed (n = 6) and healthy livers (n = 6). Blood samples were used to measure circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels using an ELISA kit. Liver samples were divided into two portions; one portion was used for immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) abundance, while the second portion was used for RNA extraction, library preparation, and sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with the DESeq2 R package, using an adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 and fold change > 1.5. Sera IGF-I was not affected by liver condition; however, IGF-IR abundance was up-regulated in abscessed livers. A total of 568 DEGs were identified, with 372 up-regulated and 196 down-regulated in abscessed livers. Notably, the most highly up-regulated genes were FGF23, NXPH4, and CYP7A1, while EPHA6, CD70, and INHBA showed the most significant downregulation. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified THBS1 and COL1A2 as significant hub genes. The DEGs showed enrichment in biological processes related to angiogenesis, cell migration, adhesion, and extracellular matrix organization. Pathway analysis indicated activation in signaling pathways, including hepatic fibrosis, interleukin, and IGF-I signaling. These findings reveal candidate genes and pathways linked to inflammatory responses and tissue remodeling, offering valuable evidence that enhances our understanding of the progression of liver abscesses in cattle.
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spelling doaj-art-52838c86fbaa47b28b719ce30d816f7c2025-08-20T03:46:25ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01206e032420910.1371/journal.pone.0324209Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.Luana D FelizariSydney M BowmanChiquito J CrastoJhones O SarturiDale R WoernerBradley J JohnsonLiver abscesses are a significant concern in cattle feeding, linked to visceral condemnation and carcass trimming; however, the molecular mechanism of development and progression of liver abscesses is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic transcriptomic profile, immunohistochemistry, and IGF-I circulation in beef × dairy (Angus × Holstein) steers with and without liver abscesses. Samples were collected from twelve steers (final body weight of 719 ± 5.8 kg) originating from the same feedlot and were selected based on liver scores at harvest. The animals were divided into abscessed (n = 6) and healthy livers (n = 6). Blood samples were used to measure circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels using an ELISA kit. Liver samples were divided into two portions; one portion was used for immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) abundance, while the second portion was used for RNA extraction, library preparation, and sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with the DESeq2 R package, using an adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 and fold change > 1.5. Sera IGF-I was not affected by liver condition; however, IGF-IR abundance was up-regulated in abscessed livers. A total of 568 DEGs were identified, with 372 up-regulated and 196 down-regulated in abscessed livers. Notably, the most highly up-regulated genes were FGF23, NXPH4, and CYP7A1, while EPHA6, CD70, and INHBA showed the most significant downregulation. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified THBS1 and COL1A2 as significant hub genes. The DEGs showed enrichment in biological processes related to angiogenesis, cell migration, adhesion, and extracellular matrix organization. Pathway analysis indicated activation in signaling pathways, including hepatic fibrosis, interleukin, and IGF-I signaling. These findings reveal candidate genes and pathways linked to inflammatory responses and tissue remodeling, offering valuable evidence that enhances our understanding of the progression of liver abscesses in cattle.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324209
spellingShingle Luana D Felizari
Sydney M Bowman
Chiquito J Crasto
Jhones O Sarturi
Dale R Woerner
Bradley J Johnson
Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
PLoS ONE
title Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
title_full Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
title_fullStr Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
title_full_unstemmed Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
title_short Hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle.
title_sort hepatic transcriptome profiling unveils candidate genes in cattle with liver abscesses under the influence of beef genetics in dairy cattle
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324209
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