Long noncoding RNA IRF1-AS is associated with peste des petits ruminants infection.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) poses a significant threat to small ruminant health and productivity globally.
• The molecular mechanisms of host-PPRV interactions and the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in PPRV infection are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the innate immune response and lncRNA expression profiles in caprine endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) following PPRV infection.
• To identify specific lncRNAs involved in regulating the host response to PPRV and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

• Caprine EECs were infected with PPRV at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 3.
• Deep sequencing technology was employed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) at 48 hours post-infection (hpi).
• Bioinformatics analyses were performed to predict the functions of DElncRNAs, with a focus on lncRNA 10636385 (IRF1-AS).

Main Results:

• PPRV infection induced a significant innate immune response in caprine EECs.
• 191 significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs (137 upregulated, 54 downregulated) were identified.
• IRF1-AS was identified as a positive regulator of IFN-β and ISG production, inhibiting PPRV replication by interacting with IRF3 and enhancing ISG expression.

Conclusions:

• PPRV infection significantly alters lncRNA expression in caprine EECs, highlighting their role in host-pathogen interactions.
• IRF1-AS acts as a crucial host factor that enhances the innate immune response against PPRV.
• IRF1-AS represents a potential therapeutic target for developing novel antiviral strategies against PPRV infection.