Transcriptome analysis of bovine lymphocytes stimulated by Atractylodis macrocephalae Koidz. polysaccharides in vitro

Our previous studies demonstrated that total polysaccharides isolated from Atractylodis macrocephalae Koidz. (RAMPtp) had a therapeutic effect on bovine subclinical mastitis and an immunomodulatory effect on the lymphocytes from the supramammary lymph node (SMLN) in cows. To investigate the potential molecules involved in the immunomodulation, the present study identified 243 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RAMPtp-stimulated SMLN lymphocytes by RNA-seq. GO/KEGG enrichment analyses identified 47 significantly enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and 9 canonical pathways. These findings indicated that RAMPtp might stimulate lymphocytes to modulate productions of cytokines and chemokines through multiple compounds, targets and pathways. In particular, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway might be primarily involved in the immunomodulation. The therapeutic effect of RAMPtp on bovine subclinical mastitis may be attributed to activation of SMLN lymphocytes by injection of the polysaccharides in the area of SMLN in cows.