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No effect of an elevated miR-30b level in mouse milk on its level in pup tissues
Johann Laubier1, Johan Castille, Sandrine Le Guillou
1a INRA; UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative ; Jouy-en-Josas , France.
Abstract:
Recent reports have shown that ingested microRNAs may be transferred to blood, accumulate in tissues and exert canonical regulation on endogenous transcripts. In spite of several attempts to replicate these findings, they have not been confirmed and several questions remain. By using a transgenic mouse model presenting a high level of miR-30b in milk, the horizontal delivery of this microRNA via oral ingestion was studied in pups. Our findings demonstrated that, although very high levels of miR-30b were found in milk and in stomach contents of the pups, we did not detect an increase in miR-30b in tissues of pups fed by transgenic females compared to pups fed by wild-type females.
Insights
Ingested microRNAs are not transferred to tissues in pups, even with high levels in milk. This study found no evidence of horizontal microRNA delivery via oral ingestion in a mouse model.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Recent reports suggest ingested microRNAs can transfer to blood and tissues, regulating gene expression.
- Replication of these findings has been inconsistent, raising questions about microRNA bioavailability and function after ingestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the horizontal delivery of microRNAs from mother's milk to pups via oral ingestion.
- To determine if high levels of microRNA in milk lead to its accumulation in pup tissues.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transgenic mouse model engineered to express high levels of miR-30b in milk.
- Administered milk from transgenic mothers to pups and compared tissue microRNA levels with pups fed by wild-type mothers.
- Quantified miR-30b levels in milk, stomach contents, and various pup tissues.
Main Results:
- Very high concentrations of miR-30b were detected in the milk of transgenic females and in the stomach contents of their pups.
- No significant increase in miR-30b levels was observed in the tissues of pups fed milk from transgenic mothers compared to controls.
- This suggests that oral ingestion of microRNAs does not lead to systemic transfer or tissue accumulation in this model.
Conclusions:
- Horizontal transfer of microRNAs from ingested milk to pup tissues is not supported by this study.
- High dietary intake of microRNAs does not necessarily result in their functional presence in target tissues.
- Further research is needed to understand the fate and potential biological impact of ingested microRNAs.
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