Evaluation of gene expression in peripheral blood cells as a potential biomarker for enzootic bovine leukosis.

Expression of six selective genes in peripheral blood cells was evaluated as diagnostic biomarkers for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) by using 10 EBL and 15 clinically healthy cattle. The clinically healthy cattle generally showed lower gene expression levels. Although wide variations of gene expression were found in some clinical cases of EBL, 4 and 5 among 10 EBL cattle showed higher expression of interleukin 2 receptor gene (IL2R) and Wilms' tumor gene (WT1), respectively. Expression of IL2R in peripheral blood cells in EBL cattle was statistically increased; however, the lower sensitivity and higher variation in the gene expressions among clinical cases of EBL would be problems as diagnostic biomarkers.