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Published on: March 30, 2019
Integrated Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Lung miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Associated with Avian Pathogenic E.
Huan Li1,2, Jishuang Tan2, Xiaoyi Li2
1School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou 225009, China.
Abstract:
Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), one of the most common pathogens, can cause localized or systemic infections and lead to significant economic losses in the poultry industry annually. Recently, evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the host immune response to bacterial infection by targeting mRNAs. However, few studies have examined the immune mechanisms of miRNAs and mRNAs in chicken lungs following APEC infection. Herein, hematoxylin-eosin staining and qRT-PCR were employed to investigate APEC-induced lung inflammation in chickens. RNAseq was used to identify the miRNAs and mRNAs expression profile between the APEC infection group (APEC) vs. the Control group (Control). The results show that APEC can induce lung lesions in chickens and increase the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, IL8, IL6, and TNFα). High-quality sequencing data were obtained, of which more than 93% of the reads can be mapped to the chicken genome. A total of 22 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and 608 DE mRNAs were detected in the APEC vs. the Control. Remarkably, 23 regulatory pairs of miRNA-mRNA interactions were identified in chicken lungs upon APEC infection. Further validation revealed that gga-miR-214 could directly target the RAB37 gene upon APEC infection to modulate the expression of inflammatory cytokine response. This study provides new insights into the host immune response to APEC infection.
Insights
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes lung inflammation in chickens. Researchers identified key microRNA-mRNA interactions, including gga-miR-214 targeting RAB37, crucial for the immune response to APEC infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Poultry Health
Background:
- Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a significant poultry pathogen causing economic losses.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in host immune responses to bacterial infections.
- Limited research exists on miRNA and mRNA immune mechanisms in chicken lungs during APEC infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of chicken lung immune response to APEC infection.
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in chicken lungs post-APEC challenge.
- To elucidate miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks involved in APEC-induced inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Hematoxylin-eosin staining and qRT-PCR for assessing lung inflammation.
- RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to profile miRNA and mRNA expression.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify differentially expressed molecules and regulatory interactions.
Main Results:
- APEC infection induced significant lung lesions and elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, IL8, IL6, TNFα).
- RNAseq identified 22 differentially expressed miRNAs and 608 differentially expressed mRNAs.
- Twenty-three miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs were discovered, with gga-miR-214 targeting RAB37 identified as a key interaction.
Conclusions:
- APEC infection triggers a distinct inflammatory response in chicken lungs involving specific miRNA and mRNA expression changes.
- The identified miRNA-mRNA interactions provide novel insights into host defense mechanisms against APEC.
- gga-miR-214 and its target RAB37 play a role in modulating inflammatory responses to APEC, offering potential targets for therapeutic strategies.
