miRNA and circRNA expression patterns in mouse brain during toxoplasmosis development.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
• The role of circRNAs in neurological toxoplasmosis remains unknown.
• This study investigates circRNA and miRNA expression in T. gondii infected mouse brains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine circRNA and miRNA expression profiles in mouse brains after T. gondii infection.
• To elucidate the potential roles of circRNAs and miRNAs in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide small RNA sequencing was performed on mouse brain samples from acutely and chronically infected, and uninfected mice.
• Gene ontology analysis was used to predict the functions of host genes producing dysregulated circRNAs.
• Computational analyses were employed to construct circRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks.

Main Results:

• Significant upregulation and downregulation of circRNAs and miRNAs were observed in both acute and chronic T. gondii infection.
• In acute infection, 9 circRNAs and 20 miRNAs were upregulated, and 67 circRNAs and 28 miRNAs were downregulated.
• In chronic infection, 2 circRNAs and 42 miRNAs were upregulated, and 1 circRNA and 29 miRNAs were downregulated.
• Gene ontology analysis indicated involvement in response to stimulus and ion binding.
• Predictive networks suggested circRNAs and miRNAs function as post-transcriptional regulators.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight circRNA-miRNA interactions in toxoplasmosis pathogenesis.
• This study provides a foundation for understanding the regulatory roles of miRNAs and circRNAs in T. gondii-induced pathogenesis.