International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 297-304 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 297 Review Article Open Access A Review of Canid Immunogenomics: How Domestication Shaped the Canine Immune System Jinya Li, Jing He, Mengyue Chen Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: mengyue.chen@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0026 Received: 03 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 05 Dec., 2024 Published: 16 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li et al., 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: Li J.Y., He J., and Chen M.Y., 2024, A review of canid immunogenomics: how domestication shaped the canine immune system, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(6): 297-304 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0026) Abstract This study reviews the genetic basis of immune function in dogs, with a focus on key immune genes such as major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) and toll like receptors (TLRs). The evolutionary changes of immune genes during domestication were examined, and the comparative analysis between domestic dogs and their wild relatives (such as wolves and coyotes) highlighted significant immune genomic variations caused by differences in pathogen exposure and selection pressure. Taking sled dogs as an example, the unique immune adaptation to extreme environments was demonstrated, revealing how selection pressure affects immune gene diversity and pathogen resistance. The development direction of canine immune genomics was reviewed, including emerging technologies, personalized health management, and protection of immune gene diversity in wild dogs. This study emphasizes the importance of immune genome research in advancing our understanding of the impact of dog health, evolutionary biology, and domestication on immune system function. Keywords Canid; Canine immunogenomics; Domestication; Immune system; Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) 1 Introduction Canid immunogenomics is a burgeoning field that explores the genetic underpinnings of the immune system in canids, including domestic dogs and their wild relatives such as wolves and foxes (vonHoldt et al., 2011). This area of study leverages high-throughput sequencing technologies to decode the complex genetic variations that contribute to immune responses and disease susceptibility in these species. Structural variations (SVs), copy number variations (CNVs), and epigenetic modifications are among the key genomic elements investigated to understand how they influence immune function (Koch et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2018). Domestication has profoundly impacted the canine immune system, primarily through selective breeding and adaptation to human environments. Studies have shown that domesticated dogs exhibit significant genomic differences from their wild counterparts, including variations in genes associated with immune responses. For instance, structural variations specific to dogs have been linked to genes involved in energy metabolism, neurological processes, and immune systems, suggesting that these changes were crucial for adapting to new diets and living conditions during domestication (Zhao, 2018). Additionally, methylation patterns and CNVs have been found to differ significantly between dogs and wolves, further highlighting the role of domestication in shaping the canine immune system (Ramírez et al., 2014; Serres-Armero et al., 2017). This study reviews the current research status of canine immunogenomics, including domesticated dogs and their wild relatives, providing a comparative perspective for better understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of immune response in canine animals. It focuses on the effects of domestication on the canine immune system, explores various genomic elements, including SVs, CNVs, and epigenetic modifications, and their roles in immune function. The aim of this study is to provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics of the canine immune system by synthesizing recent research findings and to identify areas for future research.
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