Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 354-361 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 354 Research Insight Open Access TheRole of TLRGenes in Canid Immunity: Insights from Wolves, Coyotes, and Dogs Jun Wang, Mengyue Chen Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: mengyue.chen@cuixi.org Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0037 Received: 05 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 08 Dec., 2024 Published: 20 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang and Chen, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang J., and Chen M.Y., 2024, The role of TLRgenes in canid immunity: insights from wolves, coyotes, and dogs, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(6): 354-361 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0037) Abstract This study systematically reviews the critical role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes in canid immunity, focusing on the genetic polymorphisms, functional mechanisms, and evolutionary dynamics of TLRgenes in wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. As an essential component of the innate immune system, TLRs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate immune signaling pathways, playing a central role in combating bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. The diversity of TLRgenes is closely linked to host immune competence and disease susceptibility, with African wild dogs exhibiting higher TLR polymorphism, potentially enhancing their resistance to canine distemper virus (CDV). This study reveals how specific variations in genes such as TLR2, TLR4, and TLR7 influence immune responses and highlights the importance of pathogen-mediated selection pressures in maintaining genetic diversity. It further explores the potential applications of TLRgenes in conservation and breeding, including the use of genetic markers for marker-assisted selection to enhance disease resistance in domestic dogs and the management of genetic diversity to address regional pathogen pressures in wild canids. By synthesizing current research findings, this study identifies future research directions, emphasizing the application of genomic and transcriptomic technologies in elucidating the functions and evolution of TLRgenes. Keywords Toll-like receptor (TLR); Canid immunity; Genetic diversity; Pathogen resistance; Conservation and breeding 1 Introduction Canid species, including wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs, possess a complex and highly adaptive immune system that enables them to combat a wide array of pathogens. The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful pathogens and maintain homeostasis (Liu and Huang, 2024). The innate immune system, which serves as the first line of defense, plays a crucial role in recognizing and responding to infectious agents. Among the key components of this system are Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are essential for detecting microbial infections and initiating immune responses. Understanding the genetic and functional diversity of TLRs in canids is vital for comprehending their immune capabilities and disease susceptibilities. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate downstream signaling pathways to elicit immune responses. TLRs are pivotal in recognizing a broad spectrum of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Polymorphisms in TLR genes can significantly influence the effectiveness of immune responses and the susceptibility of hosts to various diseases. For instance, variations in TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, and TLR8 have been linked to differential susceptibility to canine distemper virus (CDV) in African wild dogs and lions, highlighting the critical role of TLR diversity in disease resistance (Loots et al., 2018). Additionally, TLR polymorphisms have been shown to undergo pathogen-mediated selection, maintaining genetic diversity in natural populations and influencing disease susceptibility (Quéméré et al., 2021). This study summarizes the genetic variations in TLR genes across different canid species, explores the evolutionary pressures shaping TLR diversity in wild populations, evaluates the functional impacts of TLR polymorphisms on immune responses to specific pathogens, and highlights the significance of TLR research in
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