Differentially Expressed Genes in Cardiomyocytes of the First Camelized Mouse Model, Nrapc.255ins78 Mouse

The first camelized mouse model (Nrap c.255ins78) was developed to explore how camels adapt to extreme environments. Previous studies showed that these mice exhibit a cold‐resistant phenotype, with increased expression of inflammatory cytokine‐related genes in the heart under cold stress. This study aims to build on prior research by analyzing the heart transcriptomes of Nrap c.255ins78 mice under non‐stress conditions to investigate the origins of inflammatory cytokine responses in the heart during cold exposure. For this purpose, RNA sequencing was used to analyze the heart transcriptomes of 12‐week‐old male and female Nrap c.255ins78 mice and control wild‐type mice. As a result, we identified 25 differentially expressed genes between wild‐type and Nrap c.255ins78 mice. Twelve of them were associated with the cell cycle and division, all consistently downregulated in Nrapc.255ins78 mice. The Cib3 (calcium and integrin‐binding protein) gene was significantly upregulated (FDR < 0.05; P < 0.001). These DEGs are linked to altered calcium dynamics in cardiomyocytes, maintaining homeostasis, and suggest that inflammatory cytokines during cold exposure may serve as an adaptive response. Our findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation in camels and suggest pathways for enhancing stress resistance in other mammals.