High expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 and tissue necrosis factor alpha may relate to chronic infection of buffalo mammary gland

Abstract

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A) are the putative mammary stem cell markers. Tissue necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) is involved in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis and cell proliferation. In this study, the gene expression profile of ALDH1, HNF4A and TNFA of buffalo mammary tissue using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Analysis of RT-qPCR data revealed that the relative expression (log2 fold change) of ALDH1 and TNFA during mastitis (vs. lactation) was increased (P < .05) by 2.98 and 4.71, respectively. The relative expression (log2 fold change; −7.39) of stem cell marker, HNF4A was decreased (P < .05) during mastitis. Histological analysis of mammary tissue during mastitis showed thickening of stroma and occasionally hyperplasia, predominantly in prepubertal and non-lactating animals. Although, the level of expression of these genes may vary, depending upon the physiological stage of the animals, however expression of ALDH1 and TNFA was high during mastitis. A systematic study on large samples of buffalo mammary tissue with appropriate comparisons needs to be evaluated with these markers for prognosis of buffalo mammary health.

Keywords:

• Buffalo
• mastitis
• ALDH1
• TNFA
• HNF4A

Additional information

Funding

Funds to conduct this study was provided partially by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology New Delhi (project reference number BT/AAQ/01/AB-I/TF-AP/2014) and the departmental funds received from School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.