兽类学报2026，Vol.46Issue(2)：171-183,13.DOI:10.16829/j.slxb.151004
基于转录组测序数据探讨高海拔牦牛心脏免疫细胞的功能
Exploring the function of immune cells in the heart of high-altitude yaks based on transcriptomic sequencing data
摘要
Abstract
Hypoxia can affect the redox state of animal tissue cells,leading to endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.The heart plays a crucial role in the regulation of oxygen supply and demand in the body and is particularly susceptible to damage under ER stress.Yaks,which live year-round in high-altitude hypoxic environments,have adapted well to these conditions.However,the changes in immune cell functions within the hearts of high-altitude yaks in response to hypox-ia-induced endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress are not yet fully understood.To address this,we selected yaks from two different altitudes in Qinghai Province,China:Qumalai County(4 500 m)and Xunhua County(2 600 m).We then used transcriptome and single-cell transcriptome sequencing to investigate differences in immune-related gene expression and functional changes in major immune cells in the hearts of yaks from high and low altitudes.This study aims to deepen our understanding of the adaptive changes in the immune characteristics of yak heart tissues.The results from transcrip-tome sequencing data showed that,compared to low-altitude yaks,upregulated genes in the hearts of high-altitude yaks were primarily enriched in pathways related to ER stress,damaged cell clearance,and the removal of misfolded proteins,all of which are associated with immune function.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)revealed that pathways related to ER stress,damaged cell clearance,and the removal of misfolded proteins were activated in the heart tissues of high-al-titude yaks.RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that the expression levels of immune-related genes(eg.LCP1,HLA-A,IGHM,FCGR3)were significantly higher in the heart tissues of high-altitude yaks compared to those of low-altitude yaks(P＜0.05),and the expression trends were consistent with the transcriptome results.Single-cell transcriptome se-quencing results showed a decrease in the frequency of lymphocytes,macrophages,and dendritic cells in the heart tis-sues of high-altitude yaks.Furthermore,the sequencing revealed that upregulated genes in these three types of immune cells in high-altitude yaks were significantly enriched in immune pathways,including Fcγ-R-mediated phagocytosis,T-cell receptor signaling,and antigen processing and presentation,all of which are involved in the clearance of cellular for-eign bodies.In summary,the enhanced phagocytic,cytotoxic,and immune complex clearance capabilities of immune cells in the hearts of high-altitude yaks effectively ensure the removal of increased misfolded proteins and other foreign bodies induced by ER stress.This adaptation helps them better cope with the high-altitude hypoxic environment.关键词
牦牛/心脏/免疫作用/高原环境适应/单细胞转录组Key words
Yak(Bos grunniens)/Heart/Immune effects/Plateau environmental adaptation/Single-cell transcriptome分类
生物科学引用本文复制引用
张迅,黄娜婷,李静怡,陈家瑞,魏青..基于转录组测序数据探讨高海拔牦牛心脏免疫细胞的功能[J].兽类学报,2026,46(2):171-183,13.基金项目
青海省科学技术厅基础研究项目(2023-ZJ-708) （2023-ZJ-708）
青海大学生态环境工程学院三江源生态一流学科硕士研究生科技创新项目(2024-stxy-Y12) （2024-stxy-Y12）
