Allele-specific gene expression in F1 hybrid mice reveals structural variants affecting macrophage characteristics

Genetic diversity underlies the foundation for variations in gene expression, resulting in diverse phenotypic traits. In this study, we investigated the effect of genetic variation on macrophage function using two genetically distinct mouse strains, C57BL/6 (B6) and Japanese Fancy Mouse 1 (JF1), which exhibit substantial genetic polymorphisms. Gene expression analysis of macrophages derived from B6, JF1, and their F1 hybrids revealed strain-specific allelic expression of immune-related and glycolytic genes, indicating significant influence of cis-regulatory variants on macrophage function. These findings highlight the role of genetic variation in shaping immune responses and metabolic pathways and provide new insights into the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity in macrophages among subspecies of mice.