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High Throughput MicroRNA Profiling: Optimized Multiplex qRT-PCR at Nanoliter Scale on the Fluidigm Dynamic ArrayTM IFCs
Published on: August 3, 2011
Expression profiling of exosomal miRNAs derived from different stages of infection in mice infected with Echinococcus
Jing Xiao1,2,3, Yazhou Zhu1,2,3, Jianwen Wu1,2,3
1Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China.
Abstract:
Echinococcosis is a worldwide zoonosis. The mechanism of the establishment, growth, and persistence of parasites in the host has not been fully understood. Exosomes are found to be a way of information exchange between parasites and hosts. They exist in various body fluids widely. There are few studies on host-derived exosomes and their miRNA expression profiles at different infection time points. In this study, BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally infected with protricercariae. Exosomes were extracted from plasma (0, 3, 9, and 20 weeks post infection), and the expression profiles of exosome miRNA in the peripheral blood of mice were determined using RNA-sequencing. Compared to the 0 week groups, 24, 35, and 22 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected in infected mouse at the three infection stages, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences in the miRNAs of exosomes at different infection time points. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were used to annotate the different miRNAs. The results showed that the biological pathways of parasites changed significantly at different stages of infection, with many significant and abundant pathways involved in cell differentiation, inflammation, and immune response, such as MAPK signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Wnt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, etc. These results suggest that miRNA may be an important regulator of interactions between Echinococcus granulosus and host. The data provided here provide valuable information to increase understanding of the regulatory function of microRNAs in the host microenvironment and the mechanism of host-parasite interaction. This may help us to find targets for Echinococcus granulosus to escape host immune attack and control Echinococcus granulosus infection in the future.
Insights
This study reveals how Echinococcus granulosus infection alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in host exosomes over time. These changes in exosomal miRNA profiles offer insights into parasite persistence and host immune response modulation.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Echinococcosis is a global zoonotic disease with incompletely understood host-parasite interaction mechanisms.
- Exosomes facilitate intercellular communication and are implicated in host-parasite interactions.
- Limited research exists on host-derived exosomal microRNA (miRNA) profiles during parasitic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in exosomal miRNA expression profiles in BALB/c mice at different Echinococcus granulosus infection time points.
- To identify key biological pathways regulated by differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs during infection.
- To elucidate the role of exosomal miRNAs in host-parasite interactions and immune evasion.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were infected with Echinococcus granulosus protricercariae.
- Exosomes were isolated from mouse plasma at 0, 3, 9, and 20 weeks post-infection.
- Exosomal miRNA expression was analyzed using RNA sequencing, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in exosomal miRNA expression were observed across infection stages (24, 35, and 22 differentially expressed miRNAs at 3, 9, and 20 weeks, respectively).
- Enriched pathways included cell differentiation, inflammation, and immune responses (e.g., MAPK signaling, Th17 cell differentiation, Wnt, FoxO, Notch signaling pathways).
- These findings indicate dynamic alterations in host biological pathways influenced by parasitic infection.
Conclusions:
- Exosomal miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating the interaction between Echinococcus granulosus and its host.
- The identified miRNA expression patterns provide insights into parasite persistence and host immune modulation.
- This research may lead to novel therapeutic targets for controlling Echinococcus granulosus infection and immune evasion strategies.
