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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
A Non-Coding Small RNA MicC Contributes to Virulence in Outer Membrane Proteins in Salmonella Enteritidis
Published on: January 27, 2021
Cecal MicroRNAome response to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection in White Leghorn Layer
Guixian Wu1, Yukai Qi1, Xiaoyi Liu1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China.
Background:
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a food-borne pathogen and of great threat to human health through consuming the contaminated poultry products. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in different biological activities and have been shown to regulate the innate immunity in the bacterial infection. The objective of this study is to identify miRNAs associated with SE infection in laying chicken cecum.
Results:
Average number of reads of three libraries constructed from infected and non-infected chickens was 12,476,156 and 10,866,976, respectively. There were 598 miRNAs including 194 potential novel miRNAs identified in which 37 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between infected and non-infected chickens. In total, 2897 unique target genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted, in which, 841 genes were uniquely regulated by up-regulated miRNAs (G1), 636 genes were uniquely regulated by down-regulated miRNAs (G2), and 1420 were co-regulated by both up and down- regulated miRNAs (G3). There were 118, 73 and 178 GO (Gene ontology) BP (Biological process) terms significantly enriched in G1, G2 and G3 groups, respectively. More immune-related GO BP terms than metabolism-related terms were found in G1. Expression of 12 immune-related genes of four differentially expressed miRNAs was detected through qRT-PCR. The regulatory direction of gga-miR-1416-5p, gga-miR-1662, and gga-miR-34a-5p were opposite with the target genes of TLR21, BCL10, TLR1LA, NOTCH2 and THBS1, respectively.
Conclusion:
The miRNAs contribute to the response to SE infection at the onset of egg laying through regulating the homeostasis between metabolism and immunity. The gga-miR-125b-5p, gga-miR-34a-5p, gga-miR-1416-5p and gga-miR-1662 could play an important role in SE infection through regulating their target genes. The finding herein will pave the foundation for the studies of microRNA regulation in SE infection in laying hens.
Insights
This study identified 37 differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in laying hens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). These miRNAs regulate immune and metabolic processes, offering insights into host defense mechanisms against this food-borne pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a significant food-borne pathogen, posing a threat through poultry products.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of biological activities, including innate immunity during bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in the cecum of laying hens.
- To understand the role of miRNAs in the innate immune response to SE infection in poultry.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was performed on cecal samples from SE-infected and non-infected laying hens.
- Differential expression analysis identified significant miRNAs, and target gene prediction was conducted.
- Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and qRT-PCR were used to validate findings.
Main Results:
- Approximately 12.4 million reads were obtained per library from infected chickens and 10.8 million from non-infected chickens.
- 37 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between infected and non-infected groups, with 194 potential novel miRNAs identified.
- Predicted target genes and enriched Gene Ontology terms suggest miRNAs regulate immune and metabolic homeostasis during SE infection.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs play a role in the host response to SE infection in laying hens, particularly during the onset of egg laying.
- Specific miRNAs, including gga-miR-125b-5p, gga-miR-34a-5p, gga-miR-1416-5p, and gga-miR-1662, are implicated in regulating target genes involved in the immune response.
- This research provides a foundation for further investigation into miRNA-mediated regulation of SE infection in poultry.
