Differential miRNA expression in the mouse jejunum during garlic treatment of Eimeria papillata infections

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Parasitology

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis.
• Eimeria papillata infection in mice leads to significant intestinal inflammation and tissue damage.
• Garlic is known for its medicinal properties, but its specific effects on the intestinal miRNA profile during parasitic infections are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of garlic on the intestinal miRNA signature of Eimeria papillata-infected mice.
• To determine the relationship between garlic's anti-coccidial activity and changes in miRNA expression.
• To explore the potential role of miRNAs in garlic-mediated protection against Eimeria papillata.

Main Methods:

• Male Balb/c mice were infected with Eimeria papillata and treated with garlic.
• Fecal oocyst output was quantified to assess anti-coccidial activity.
• Levels of inflammatory markers (interferon gamma, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitrite/nitrate, malondialdehyde, glutathione) were measured.
• miRNA expression profiling was performed using miRXplore microarray technology.
• Real-time PCR was used to validate specific miRNA expression changes in the jejunum.

Main Results:

• Garlic treatment significantly reduced Eimeria papillata oocyst output in feces.
• Garlic inhibited Eimeria papillata-induced increases in inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.
• Garlic modulated the expression of several miRNAs, downregulating miR-1959, miR-203, and miR-21, while upregulating miR-142-5P, miR-15A, miR-10A, miR-29B, miR-1902, miR-125A-5P, let-7E, miR-148A, miR-130A, miR-10B, and miR-93.
• These miRNA expression changes were confirmed in the jejunum of infected mice.

Conclusions:

• Garlic possesses significant anti-coccidial activity against Eimeria papillata in mice.
• Garlic's therapeutic effect is associated with specific alterations in the intestinal miRNA signature.
• These miRNA changes likely contribute to garlic's ability to mitigate Eimeria papillata-induced inflammation and tissue injury.