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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
miRNA and circRNA expression patterns in mouse brain during toxoplasmosis development
Chun-Xue Zhou1,2, Kang Ai3, Cui-Qin Huang4
1Department of Pathogenic biology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China. zhouchunxue23@163.com.
Background:
Increasing evidence has shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in neurodegenerative disorders, but their roles in neurological toxoplasmosis are yet to know. This study examined miRNA and circRNA expressions in mouse brain following oral infection with T. gondii Pru strain.
Results:
Total RNA extracted from acutely infected (11 days post infection (DPI)), chronically infected (35 DPI) and uninfected mouse brain samples were subjected to genome-wide small RNA sequencing. In the acutely infected mice, 9 circRNAs and 20 miRNAs were upregulated, whereas 67 circRNAs and 28 miRNAs were downregulated. In the chronically infected mice, 2 circRNAs and 42 miRNAs were upregulated, whereas 1 circRNA and 29 miRNAs were downregulated. Gene ontology analysis predicted that the host genes that produced the dysregulated circRNAs in the acutely infected brain were primarily involved in response to stimulus and ion binding activities. Furthermore, predictive interaction networks of circRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA were constructed based on genome-wide transcriptome sequencing and computational analyses, which might suggest the putative functions of miRNAs and circRNAs as a large class of post-transcriptional regulators.
Conclusions:
These findings will shed light on circRNA-miRNA interactions during the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, and they will lay solid foundation for studying the potential regulation roles of miRNAs and circRNAs in T. gondii induced pathogenesis.
Insights
This study investigated circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in mouse brains infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Dysregulation of these molecules was observed, suggesting their role in neurological toxoplasmosis.
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.
