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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Identification of Coding and Non-coding RNA Classes Expressed in Swine Whole Blood
Published on: November 28, 2018
Identification of microRNAs in PCV2 subclinically infected pigs by high throughput sequencing
Fernando Núñez-Hernández1, Lester J Pérez2, Marta Muñoz3
1Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain. fernando.nunez@cresa.uab.cat.
Abstract:
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the essential etiological infectious agent of PCV2-systemic disease and has been associated with other swine diseases, all of them collectively known as porcine circovirus diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. miRNAs play an increasing role in many biological processes. The study of miRNA-mediated host-pathogen interactions has emerged in the last decade due to the important role that miRNAs play in antiviral defense. The objective of this study was to identify the miRNA expression pattern in PCV2 subclinically infected and non-infected pigs. For this purpose an experimental PCV2 infection was carried out and small-RNA libraries were constructed from tonsil and mediastinal lymph node (MLN) of infected and non-infected pigs. High throughput sequencing determined differences in miRNA expression in MLN between infected and non-infected while, in tonsil, a very conserved pattern was observed. In MLN, miRNA 126-3p, miRNA 126-5p, let-7d-3p, mir-129a and mir-let-7b-3p were up-regulated whereas mir-193a-5p, mir-574-5p and mir-34a down-regulated. Prediction of functional analysis showed that these miRNAs can be involved in pathways related to immune system and in processes related to the pathogenesis of PCV2, although functional assays are needed to support these predictions. This is the first study on miRNA gene expression in pigs infected with PCV2 using a high throughput sequencing approach in which several host miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to PCV2 infection.
Insights
This study reveals distinct microRNA (miRNA) expression changes in pigs infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Specific miRNAs were up-regulated or down-regulated in lymph nodes, suggesting roles in PCV2 pathogenesis and antiviral defense.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes significant swine diseases.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and play roles in host-pathogen interactions.
- Understanding miRNA responses to PCV2 is crucial for antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify miRNA expression patterns in pigs experimentally infected with PCV2.
- To investigate differences in miRNA profiles between infected and non-infected pigs in lymphoid tissues.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of pigs with PCV2.
- Construction and high-throughput sequencing of small-RNA libraries from tonsil and mediastinal lymph node (MLN).
- Differential expression analysis of miRNAs.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in miRNA expression were observed in MLN, but not tonsil, of PCV2-infected pigs.
- Several miRNAs, including miR-126-3p, miR-126-5p, let-7d-3p, miR-129a, and let-7b-3p, were upregulated in MLN.
- Other miRNAs, such as miR-193a-5p, miR-574-5p, and miR-34a, were downregulated in MLN.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to use high-throughput sequencing to show differential host miRNA expression in response to PCV2 infection in pigs.
- Predicted functions of differentially expressed miRNAs suggest involvement in immune system pathways and PCV2 pathogenesis.
- Further functional assays are required to validate the predicted roles of these miRNAs.
