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Published on: July 3, 2014
Effects of Pasteurella multocida on Histopathology, miRNA and mRNA Expression Dynamics in Lung of Goats
Wencan Zhang1, Zizhuo Jiao1, Huixian Huang1
1Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal Reproduction & Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
Abstract:
Pasteurella multocida (Pm) infection causes severe respiratory disease in goats. We investigated the effects of the Pm infection intratracheally on the histopathology, miRNA and mRNA expression dynamics in the lung of goats infected for 1, 2, 5 and 7 days. Pm infection caused fever, which significantly (p < 0.05) increased the body temperature of the goats from day 1 to 5. Haemotoxylin−eosin staining of the infected lung tissue showed characteristics of suppurative pneumonia with inflammatory cells infiltration and the lung structure destruction. During the Pm infection of the goats, compared with the control group, there were 3080, 3508, 2716 and 2675 differentially expressed genes and 42, 69, 91 and 108 significantly expressed miRNAs (|log2Fold Change| > 1, p < 0.05) in the Pm_d1, Pm_d2, Pm_d5 and Pm_d7 groups, respectively. Five miRNAs and nine immune-related genes were selected for confirmation by reverse transcription−polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that the expression patterns of the miRNAs and genes were consistent with those determined by next-generation sequencing. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in cytokine−cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules, complement and coagulation cascades, tight junction and phagosome Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and cytokine production, leukocyte migration, myeloid leukocyte migration, cell periphery, plasma membrane, extracellular region part, extracellular region and other Gene Ontology terms. The differentially expressed genes were mapped to marker genes in human and mouse lung cells. The results showed the presence of some marker genes of the immune cells. Compared with the CK group, five miRNAs and 892 common genes were differentially expressed in the Pm_d1, Pm_d2, Pm_d5 and Pm_d7 groups. The target relationships between the common 5 miRNAs and 892 differentially expressed genes were explored and the miRNAs involved in the host immune reaction may act through the target genes. Our study characterized goats’ reaction in the lung from histopathological and molecular changes upon Pm infection, which will provide valuable information for understanding the responses in goats during Pm infection.
Insights
Pasteurella multocida infection in goats causes fever and lung damage. This study reveals significant changes in gene and miRNA expression, highlighting immune responses and potential therapeutic targets for respiratory disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pasteurella multocida (Pm) infection is a significant cause of severe respiratory disease in goats.
- Understanding the host's molecular and histopathological response is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Goat respiratory disease impacts animal health and agricultural productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathological and molecular changes in goat lungs following intratracheal Pasteurella multocida infection.
- To analyze the dynamic changes in microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression during infection.
- To identify potential molecular markers and pathways involved in the goat's immune response to Pm.
Main Methods:
- Intratracheal inoculation of goats with Pasteurella multocida.
- Histopathological analysis using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining at 1, 2, 5, and 7 days post-infection.
- Next-generation sequencing for miRNA and mRNA expression profiling.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for validation.
Main Results:
- Pm infection induced fever and characteristic suppurative pneumonia with lung tissue destruction.
- Significant differential expression of thousands of genes and numerous miRNAs was observed throughout the infection period.
- Enrichment analysis revealed involvement of immune-related pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and leukocyte migration.
- Five key miRNAs and 892 common differentially expressed genes were identified, suggesting their role in host immune response.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella multocida infection causes substantial histopathological damage and complex molecular alterations in goat lungs.
- The study identified specific miRNAs and genes critical to the host's immune response, offering insights into disease mechanisms.
- These findings provide a foundation for understanding goat respiratory disease and developing targeted interventions.
