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Published on: May 4, 2021
Allergic Inflammation Alters microRNA Expression Profile in Adipose Tissue in the Rat
Dawid Szczepankiewicz1, Wojciech Langwiński2, Paweł Kołodziejski1
1Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Biostructure, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland.
Abstract:
Adipose tissue is a major source of circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) that are modulators of the immune response in various types of tissues and organs, including airways. Still, no evidence exists if allergic airway inflammation may affect fat tissue inflammation via alterations in the miRNA expression profile. Therefore, we investigated the miRNA expression profile in the adipose tissue upon induced allergic inflammation in the airways in the rat. Brown Norway rats were chronically sensitized to house dust mite extract for seven weeks. Body composition was performed using MiniSpec Plus. The eosinophil count and the total IgE level were determined to confirm the induction of allergic inflammation. MiRNA expression profiling was done using the next-generation sequencing with validation by qPCR. We found that allergic airway inflammation significantly increased fat in adipose tissue, glucose concentration, and the gene expression of adipose tissue-derived proinflammatory peptides (leptin, TNFα). In miRNA-seq analysis, we showed significant differences in the expression of 36 mature miRNAs, three precursors, and two miRNA families in adipose tissue of allergic rats. Two miRNAs-miRNA-151-5p and miRNA-423-3p-showed significantly increased expression in qPCR in adipose tissue and lungs of sensitized animals. Allergic airway inflammation affects fat tissue and alters miRNA expression profile in adipose tissue in the rat.
Insights
Allergic airway inflammation increases fat and inflammation in adipose tissue. This allergic response alters microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in fat tissue, impacting immune modulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolism
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Adipose tissue releases exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) that modulate immune responses.
- The impact of allergic airway inflammation on adipose tissue inflammation and miRNA profiles is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate miRNA expression changes in adipose tissue due to induced allergic airway inflammation in rats.
- To determine if allergic inflammation affects fat tissue composition and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Induction of chronic allergic airway inflammation in Brown Norway rats using house dust mite extract.
- Assessment of body composition, eosinophil counts, and IgE levels.
- Next-generation sequencing for miRNA expression profiling, with qPCR validation.
Main Results:
- Allergic airway inflammation led to increased adipose tissue fat, glucose concentration, and expression of inflammatory peptides (leptin, TNFα).
- Significant differences in 36 mature miRNAs, 3 precursors, and 2 miRNA families were observed in adipose tissue.
- miRNA-151-5p and miRNA-423-3p showed significantly increased expression in adipose tissue and lungs of allergic rats.
Conclusions:
- Allergic airway inflammation impacts adipose tissue, causing increased fat deposition and inflammation.
- The study demonstrates that allergic airway inflammation alters the miRNA expression profile in adipose tissue.
