Involvement of the VEGF signaling pathway in immunosuppression and hypoxia stress: analysis of mRNA expression in lymphocytes mediating panting in Jersey cattle under heat stress

Abstract Background Extreme panting under heat stress threatens dairy cattle milk production. Previous research has revealed that the gas exchange-mediated respiratory drive in critically ill with low O 2 saturation induces panting. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling may play important roles immunosuppression and oxidative during severe responses heat-stressed cattle. The objectives of this study were to transcriptomically analyze mRNA expression mediating heat-induced stress-associated panting, evaluate exchange, screen hub genes, verify proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes lymphocyte pathways. Results Jersey naturally heat-exposed. Physiological data collected for response evaluation, blood was exchange gene assays at 06:00, 10:00 14:00 continuously 1 week. Lymphocytes isolated from whole-blood samples mRNA-seq analysis key pathway genes/proteins. respiration rates differed time, averaging 51 bpm 76 10:00, 121 ( p < 0.05). Gas showed both pH pCO time: they 7.41 41 mmHg 7.45 37.5 7.49 33 14:00, respectively 0.01). Sixteen heat-related (DEGs; 13 upregulated 3 downregulated) screened between 212 DEGs 1370 stress-affected genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) functional annotated eleven signal transduction, six immune response, five endocrine including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2) VEGF. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment oxygen regulation associated phosphorus metabolic process, levels, decreased hypoxia cytokine activity terms. main pathways VEGF, inducible factor-1(HIF-1), cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction TNF Four involved Integrin beta (ITBG3), PTGS2, myosin light chain 9 (MYL9) among 16 related immunosuppression, stress, dysfunction identified as participants VEGF oxygenation. Conclusion These findings help elucidate underlying mechanisms