Host genetic determinants of resistance and susceptibility to bovine leukemia virus infection: A mini-review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how host genetic factors influence resistance and susceptibility to bovine leukemia virus infection and highlights new genetic loci involved in immune response and viral persistence.

Contribution

The paper identifies novel genetic loci beyond classical immune genes that modulate bovine leukemia virus infection and disease progression.

Findings

Genetic polymorphisms in immune-related genes like BoLA-DRB3, TNF, and immunoglobulin loci influence BLV infection outcomes.

GWAS identified new loci such as SPATA16, ABT1, and IER3 involved in transcriptional regulation and stress response.

These genetic determinants offer opportunities for selective breeding and biomarker development to control BLV.

Abstract

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), a member of the Deltaretrovirus genus, causes enzootic bovine leukosis, leading to clinical outcomes that range from asymptomatic infection to malignant lymphoma. Host genetic factors significantly influence BLV susceptibility, proviral load (PVL), immune response, and disease progression. This mini-review synthesizes evidence on genetic polymorphisms in immune-related genes such as BoLA-DRB3, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and immunoglobulin loci, and examines novel findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Beyond classical immune genes, recent GWAS have identified novel loci including SPATA16 (spermatogenesis associated 16), ABT1 (activator of basal transcription 1), IER3 (immediate early response 3), Adaptor Related Protein Complex 4 Subunit Beta 1 (AP4B1), Tripartite Motif Containing 45 (TRIM45), Patatin Like Phospholipase Domain Containing 1 (PNPLA1), and PRRC2A (proline-rich coiled-coil 2 A) that are implicated in transcriptional regulation, stress response, RNA processing, and intracellular transport, all of which may modulate viral replication and persistence. Understanding these genetic determinants provides new insights into host-virus interactions and offers opportunities for selective breeding strategies, biomarker development, and improved BLV control programs.