兽类学报 ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 171-183.DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151004

• 研究论文 • 上一篇    下一篇

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

张迅1, 黄娜婷1, 李静怡1, 陈家瑞1, 魏青1,2()   

  1. 1.青海大学生态环境工程学院,西宁 810016
    2.省部共建三江源生态与高原农牧业国家重点实验室,西宁 810016
  • 收稿日期:2024-08-28 接受日期:2024-12-31 出版日期:2026-03-30 发布日期:2026-03-06
  • 通讯作者: 魏青
  • 作者简介:张迅(2001- ),男,硕士研究生,主要从事动物生态学研究.
  • 基金资助:
    青海省科学技术厅基础研究项目(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)

Exploring the function of immune cells in the heart of high-altitude yaks based on transcriptomic sequencing data

Xun ZHANG1, Nating HUANG1, Jingyi LI1, Jiarui CHEN1, Qing WEI1,2()   

  1. 1.College of Ecological and Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
    2.State Key Laboratory of Sanjiangyuan Ecology and Plateau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Provincial Affairs, Xining 810016, China
  • Received:2024-08-28 Accepted:2024-12-31 Online:2026-03-30 Published:2026-03-06
  • Contact: Qing WEI

摘要:

低氧会影响动物组织细胞氧化还原状态导致内质网应激,心脏在机体氧供需平衡调控中至关重要,在内质网应激下容易受到损伤。终年生活在高海拔低氧环境的牦牛(Bos grunniens)对高原环境具有良好的适应,但高海拔牦牛心脏组织为应对低氧造成的内质网应激,其免疫细胞相关功能有何变化尚不清楚。为此,本研究选取青海曲麻莱县(海拔4 500 m)与循化县(海拔2 600 m)不同海拔的高原型牦牛作为研究对象,利用转录组测序和单细胞转录组测序技术来探究高、低海拔牦牛心脏组织中免疫作用相关基因表达差异和主要免疫细胞的功能变化,以期进一步了解牦牛心脏组织在免疫方面的适应性变化。转录组测序数据分析结果表明,相对于低海拔牦牛,高海拔牦牛心脏中上调表达基因主要富集在内质网应激导致的受损细胞、错误蛋白清除等与免疫功能相关的通路上;GSEA分析发现高海拔牦牛心脏组织中,与内质网应激、内质网应激导致的受损细胞、错误蛋白清除的通路均被激活;RT‑qPCR实验表明免疫相关基因(LCP1、HLAA、IGHM、FCGR3等)的表达量在高海拔牦牛心脏组织中显著高于低海拔牦牛(P < 0.05),且表达趋势与转录组结果一致;单细胞转录组测序结果显示,高海拔牦牛心脏组织中淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞和树突状细胞3种免疫细胞的细胞频率下降,且单细胞转录组测序发现高海拔牦牛3种免疫细胞中上调表达基因均显著富集在Fcγ‑R介导的吞噬通路、T细胞受体信号、抗原处理和呈递通路等细胞异物清除的免疫通路中。综上,高海拔牦牛心脏免疫细胞吞噬、杀伤、免疫复合物清除等能力的增强,可有效保证内质网应激引起的细胞内错误折叠蛋白等异物增加的清除功能,以更好地适应高原低氧环境。

关键词: 牦牛, 心脏, 免疫作用, 高原环境适应, 单细胞转录组

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 hypoxia-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 transcriptome 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-altitude 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 sequencing results showed a decrease in the frequency of lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells in the heart tissues 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 foreign 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.

Key words: Yak (Bos grunniens), Heart, Immune effects, Plateau environmental adaptation, Single-cell transcriptome

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