Whole blood transcriptome profiling identifies candidate genes associated with alopecia in male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Abstract

Background The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a threatened species endemic to China. Alopecia, characterized by thinning and broken hair, mostly occurs in breeding males. Alopecia significantly affects the health and public image of the giant panda and the cause of alopecia is unclear. Results Here, we researched gene expression profiles of four alopecia giant pandas and seven healthy giant pandas. All pandas were approximately ten years old and their blood samples collected during the breeding season. A total of 458 up-regulated DEGs and 211 down-regulated DEGs were identified. KEGG pathway enrichment identified that upregulated genes were enriched in the Notch signaling pathway and downregulated genes were enriched in ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation, and thermogenesis pathways. We obtained 28 hair growth-related DEGs, and identified three hub genes NOTCH1, SMAD3, and TGFB1 in PPI analysis. Five hair growth-related signaling pathways were identified with abnormal expression, these were Notch, Wnt, TGF-β, Mapk, and PI3K-Akt. The overexpression of NOTCH1 delays inner root sheath differentiation and results in hair shaft abnormalities. The delayed hair regression was associated with a significant decrease in the expression levels of TGFB1. Conclusions Our data confirmed the abnormal expression of several hair-related genes and pathways and identified alopecia candidate genes in the giant panda. Results of this study provide theoretical basis for the establishment of prevention and treatment strategies for giant pandas with alopecia.

Comparative transcriptome analyses of immune responses to LPS in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the giant panda, human, mouse, and monkey

“…Because the giant panda genome had already been reported (Li et al, 2010), previous studies of the giant panda transcriptome have mainly focused on mRNA levels from tissues or whole blood (Li et al, 2020;Shen et al, 2022;Zheng et al, 2022). However, how the genes changed in PBMCs of giant pandas after LPS stimulation and what are the similarities and differences of transcriptional profile compared with other mammals are still unknown.…”

Blood Transcriptome Analysis Provides Responsive Changes in Gene Expression between Ex Situ and Captive Yangtze Finless Porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)

“…In addition, fresh tissues of rare and protected species such as the YFP are extremely difficult to obtain, and scholars often use blood tissues collected without causing damage instead of the other tissues for transcriptome studies. Shen et al (2019) explored the cause of baldness in pandas through studying the blood transcriptome and found that the hair-promoting factor Wnt10b was significantly down-regulated and expressed in the blood of pandas with baldness [13]. Liu (2017) performed the comparative analysis of the blood transcriptome of high-altitude and lowaltitude wolves and found that the differentially expressed genes in the blood of the two wolves were significantly enriched in the hypoxia response, aerobic respiration, and ATP metabolism pathways, so as to adapt to the environment at different altitudes [14].…”