Integrated Analysis of miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles in Spleen of Specific Pathogen-Free Chicken Infected with Avian Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Strain SNV

Abstract

The Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) primarily causes avian severe immunosuppression, in addition to other symptoms, which include avian dwarfing syndrome and chronic tumors in lymphoid and other tissue. To date, REV’s molecular mechanisms leading to immunosuppression have not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the role of microRNAs (miRNA) in regulating gene expression during REV infections. Therefore, we used a high-dose spleen necrosis virus (SNV) model of REV to inoculate one-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, thereby inducing congenital infections. We analyzed miRNA and mRNA expression profiles using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in a total of 19 spleen samples that were collected at 7, 14, and 21 days post infection (dpi). The results showed that 63 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) (30 known miRNAs and 33 novel miRNAs) and 482 differentially expressed target genes (DETGs) were identified. Integration analysis identified 886 known miRNA–mRNA and 580 novel miRNA–mRNA interaction pairs, which involved miRNAs that were inversely correlated with the above DETGs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that the DETGs were considerably enriched in the immune-relevant pathways category, such as immune system, cell growth and death, signaling molecules and interaction, signal transduction, etc. We further verified selected immune-relevant miRNA and their DETGs while using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Overall, our data revealed valuable immune-related miRNA–mRNA interaction information that occurred during REV infections, thereby broadening our understanding of the REV-induced immunosuppression.

MicroRNA gga-miR-200a-3p modulates immune response via MAPK signaling pathway in chicken afflicted with necrotic enteritis

“…Additionally, gga-miR-200-3p was expressed in high abundance between 14 weeks and 22 weeks, and it also targeted TGFB3 related to TGFbeta signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway in abdominal adipose tissue during postnasal late development [18]. In response against Reticuloendotheliosis Virus, gga-miR-200a-3p was negatively correlated with CTLA4, a negative regulator of T cell activation in spleen [19]. Interestingly, gga-miR-200a-3p was found to be significantly up-regulated in the susceptible line 7.2 compared to the resistant line 6.3 in response to Necrotic Enteritis in our previous study [20].…”

Analysis of the microRNA expression profiles of chicken dendritic cells in response to H9N2 avian influenza virus infection

“…Among these 66 know SDE miRNAs, 12 miRNAs (miR-22-3p, miR-22-5p, miR-30e-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-32-5p, miR-33-5p, miR-92-5p, miR-155, miR-184-3p, miR-215-5p, miR-451 and let-7b) are also found to be differentially expressed in chicken lungs, immune organs, and embryo fibroblasts during H5N3, H5N1 and H9N2 AIV infection [ 5 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition, another 7 know SDE miRNAs (miR-7, miR-21-3p, miR-34c-5p, miR-187-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-429-3p and miR-1434) are identified in other virus infected chickens [ 18 – 20 ]. Therefore, these DE miRNAs might play a vital role in the interaction between chicken DCs and H9N2 AIV.…”

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Animal Health and Welfare in Livestock

“…The poultry immune system is also activated by REV, leading to differential miRNA expression in the host. Gao et al identified 27, 29, and 29 DE-miRNAs in the spleen of in vivo REVinfected chickens at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection, respectively (165). The authors demonstrated a negative correlation between 14 miRNAs (miR-200a-3p, miR-375, miR-1458, miR-1664-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-222b-5p, miR-147, miR-1329-5p, miR-1618-5p, miR-1664-3p, miR-146b-3p, miR-222b-3p, miR-144-3p, and miR-1769-3) and 14 target genes, all of which were involved in a variety of biological pathways, including the endocrine system, the immune system, cell growth, and cell death (165).…”