MicroRNA profile analysis of host cells before and after wild human rotavirus infection

Yan Zhou1, Jinyuan Wu1, Panpan Geng1

  • 1Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China.

Journal of Medical Virology
|February 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals how rotavirus infection alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in host cells, identifying specific miRNAs involved in antiviral defense and virus-host interactions. These findings may guide new antiviral strategies against rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Rotavirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide.
  • The intricate mechanisms of rotavirus-host cell interactions remain incompletely elucidated.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective antiviral therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in host cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles during early-stage rotavirus infection.
  • To identify specific miRNAs and their targets involved in the host response to rotavirus.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs in antiviral strategies against rotavirus.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of a wildtype rotavirus strain (ZTR-68, P[8]G1) from an infant with diarrhea.
  • Deep sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to predict miRNA target functions.
  • Comparative analysis of miRNA expression in two permissive cell lines (HT29 and MA104).

Main Results:

  • A total of 36 candidate miRNAs were identified, with 29 significantly down-regulated and 7 up-regulated post-infection.
  • Differential miRNA expression patterns were observed between HT29 and MA104 cell lines.
  • Target assays indicated that mml-miR-7 and mml-miR-125a play roles in anti-rotavirus activity and virus-host interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Host cellular miRNA expression is significantly altered during early rotavirus infection.
  • Specific miRNAs, including mml-miR-7 and mml-miR-125a, are implicated in the host's defense against rotavirus.
  • These findings provide valuable insights for developing novel vector-based antiviral strategies targeting rotavirus infections.