Experiment
Linkage analysis was performed on 209 (AKR.129P2(B6)-Apoetm1Bres x D2.129P2(B6)-Apoetm1Bres)F2 intercross mice (95 female, 114 male) using 1967 markers. The cross was generated to identify QTL related to atherosclerosis. Parental strains AKR/J and DBA/2J are atherosclerosis resistant and sensitive, respectively. Additional QTL were identified for body weight; total cholesterol and blood count parameters. Genome-wide probability values were assigned as p<0.05 =significant; p<0.25 = likely, and p>.025 as suggestive.
Total cholesterol QTL were identified on Chromosomes 10 and 13.
A significant male specific QTL, Chol15, cholesterol 15, mapped to mouse chromosome 13 with peak marker rs6244558 with a LOD=3.85, p<0.05. DBA/2J alleles conferred higher cholesterol at this locus.
QTL Chol18, cholesterol 18, in both sexes combined, mapped to Chromosome 13 with peak marker rs6244558 with a LOD=4.67, p<0.15. DBA/2J alleles conferred higher cholesterol at this locus in a single sex analysis.
QTL Chol16, cholesterol 16, also male specific mapped to Chromosome 10 with peak marker rs13459120 with a LOD=3.47, p<0.10. The AKR/J alleles conferred higher cholesterol at this locus.
A significant male specific QTL, Wbc1, white blood count 1, mapped to Chromosome 8 to peak marker rs13479943 with a LOD=4.05, p<0.05.
Wbc2, white blood cell count 2, mapped in both sexes also mapped to Chromosome 8, peaking at marker rs13479941 with a LOD=6.22, p<0.01.
AKR/J alleles conferred an increase in white blood cell count at both Wbc1 and Wbc2.
A significant QTL, Rbc1, red blood cell count 1, mapped in both male and female mice mapped to Chromosome 4, peaking at marker rs3657938 with a LOD=4.67, p<0.05. DBA/2J alleles conferred higher red blood cell count at this locus.
A QTL, Mono1, monocyte differential 1, mapped in both sexes, mapped to Chromosome 5, peaking at marker rs6370004 with a LOD=3.01, p<0.25. AKR/2J alleles conferred an increased percentage of monocytes at this locus.
A QTL, Hct1, hematocrit 1, mapped in both sexes, mapped to Chromosome 4, peaking at marker, rs3657938 with a LOD=3.89, p<0.10. DBA/2J alleles conferred an increase in hematocrit at this locus.
A QTL Hgb1, hemaglobin 1, also mapped in both sexes to Chromosome 4, peaking at marker rs3657938 with a LOD=3.97, p<0.10.
QTL Hgb2, hemaglobin 2, also mapped in both sexes, mapped to chromosome 14, LOD=3.17 at marker rs13482409, p<0.20.
QTL Lymph1, lymphocyte differential 1, a male specific QTL, mapped to Chromosome 2 peaking at marker rs13476557 with a LOD=3.28, p<0.15. AKR/J alleles confer an increased percentage of lymphocytes at this locus.
QTL Lymph2, lymphocyte differential 2, also male specific, mapped to Chromosome 17 peaking at maker rs13483042 with a LOD=3.07, p<0.25. DBA/2J alleles confer and increased percentage of lymphocytes at this locus.
QTL Lymph3, lymphocyte differential 3, also male specific, mapped to Chromosome 4 peaking at marker rs8260738 with a LOD=3.01, p<0.25. DBA/2J alleles confer and increased percentage of lymphocytes at this locus.
QTL Lymph4, lymphocyte differential 4, mapped in both sexes to Chromosome 17 at peak marker rs13483042 with a LOD=3.69, p<0.10. DBA/2J alleles confer and increased percentage of lymphocytes at this locus.
QTL Lymph5, lymphocyte differential 5, also mapped in both sexes to Chromosome 2 at peak marker rs13476534 with a LOD=3.05, p<0.25.AKR/J alleles confer an increased percentage of lymphocytes at this locus.