Exploring genomic variation and immune repertoire diversity in different dog breeds through holistic genomic investigation

• Grant number: 23/05951-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 27, 2023
• End date: August 26, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Immunogenetics
• Principal Investigator: Heidge Fukumasu
• Grantee: Taismara Kustro Garnica
• Supervisor: Sofia Kossida
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Montpellier 2, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/09982-7 - Development of an immunosequencing panel for the assessment of minimal residual disease in dogs with B-cell Lymphomas, BP.DR

Abstract

Exists at least 356 dog breeds recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The diversity of phenotypes associated with canine breeds reflects a large genomic variation, which has been shown to be much greater than in humans. Genomic variation also affects the immune repertoire, causing differences in the adaptive immune response, influencing the repertoire of B cell receptors and antibodies, which may reflect in a susceptibility to some diseases related with immunologic system. As an example, it was shown that IGHV gene mutation status was higher in other canine breeds than in Boxers diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the canine IGH mutation is challenging to assess because of the lack of knowledge about polymorphisms in IGHV genes across dog breeds and individuals. Thus, IMGTâ has been performing the characterization, functional annotation and biocuration of the canine immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene locus to allow the discovery of polymorphisms/mutations through the incorporation of more canine breeds. This work is of fundamental importance since genomic variations could be associate with the development of canine B-cell lymphoma, allowing the development of more accurate diagnostic, monitoring tests and therapies in the future. Therefore, the aim of our study will be to use a holistic genomic approach to explore genetic variation and immune repertoire diversity in different dog breeds to allow for future studies of IGHV mutation status in canine B-cell lymphoma. (AU)