Immune competence is a measurable trait that was developed to determine the ability of animals to respond to an infection. This trait involves measuring the response to vaccination and has been used in cattle selective breeding programs to ensure that animals maintain an effective ability to control disease, improving animal outcomes and productivity. The molecular processes that regulate immune competence status are not well defined. In this study we have used a sequencing method to compare expression levels of a class of molecules that regulate gene expression (microRNAs), circulating in the blood of cattle that were classified as high or low for immune competence. The study identified sets of microRNAs that differed in abundance between high and low immune competence groups both before, and after, vaccination. These microRNAs may play a role in regulating the development of an immune response following vaccination.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.