Differential expression of microRNAs in bovine papillomavirus type 1 transformed equine cells

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types 1 and 2 play an important role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids (ES), the most common cutaneous tumour affecting horses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non‐coding RNAs that regulate essential biological and cellular processes, have been found dysregulated in a wide range of tumours. The aim of this study was to identify miRNAs associated with ES. Differential expression of miRNAs was assessed in control equine fibroblasts (EqPalFs) and EqPalFs transformed with the BPV‐1 genome (S6‐2 cells). Using a commercially available miRNA microarray, 492 mature miRNAs were interrogated. In total, 206 mature miRNAs were differentially expressed in EqPalFs compared with S6‐2 cells. Aberrant expression of these miRNAs in S6‐2 cells can be attributed to the presence of BPV‐1 genomes. Furthermore, we confirm the presence of 124 miRNAs previously computationally predicted in the horse. Our data supports the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of ES.     

Comparative expression profile of microRNAs and piRNAs in three ruminant species testes using next‐generation sequencing

microRNA (miRNA) and piwi‐interacting RNA (piRNA) are two classes small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play crucial roles in multiple biological processes such as spermatogenesis. However, there are no published studies on conjoint analysis of miRNA and piRNA profiles among cattle, yak and their interspecies (the dzo) using sequencing technology. Next‐generation sequencing technology was used to profile miRNAs and piRNAs among those three ruminants to elucidate their functions. A total of 119, 14 and six differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained in cattle vs. dzo, cattle vs. yak and yak vs. dzo comparison groups, while there were 873, 1,065 and 1,158 differentially expressed piRNAs in those three comparison groups. The expression of three miRNAs was validated in the three ruminants, and the results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, the putative targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by their own genome, it is worth to note that both the cattle and yak genome were used for dzo, then the targets were subjected to GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis, revealing the likely roles for these differentially expressed miRNAs in spermatogenesis. In conclusion, this study provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs and piRNAs regulatory roles in spermatogenesis. It may also facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for dzo reproduction research.     

Circulating let‐7g is down‐regulated in Bernese Mountain dogs with disseminated histiocytic sarcoma and carcinomas – a prospective study

Cancer is a prevalent cause of mortality in Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs). Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are found in blood and have been identified as promising biomarkers in various neoplastic diseases in humans. In the current study, the expression profile of different types of miRNAs was investigated in healthy BMDs and BMDs with cancer. Seven healthy and six non‐treated BMDs with cancer [four with disseminated histiocytic sarcomas (DHS)] were enrolled in this study. Clinical evaluations including physical examination, blood analysis, urinalysis and diagnostic imaging were performed on all dogs. Twenty‐four different miRNAs were profiled from RNA isolated from whole blood preserved in PAXgene^® tubes using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The miRNA let‐7g was significantly down‐regulated in dogs with cancer (P = 0.002) and dogs with DHS (P = 0.011) compared with healthy controls. This miRNA is a known tumour suppressor and further analyses are warranted to assess its value as a non‐invasive biomarker for early detection of different types of cancer in BMDs.     

Characterization of microRNA profile in mammary tissue of dairy and beef breed heifers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that participate in the regulation of gene expression. Their role during mammary gland development is still largely unknown. In this study, we performed a microarray analysis to identify miRNAs associated with high mammogenic potential of the bovine mammary gland. We identified 54 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs between the mammary tissue of dairy (Holstein‐Friesian, HF) and beef (Limousin, LM) postpubertal heifers. Fifty‐two miRNAs had higher expression in the mammary tissue of LM heifers. The expression of the top candidate miRNAs (bta‐miR‐10b, bta‐miR‐29b, bta‐miR‐101, bta‐miR‐375, bta‐miR‐2285t, bta‐miR‐146b, bta‐let7b, bta‐miR‐107, bta‐miR‐1434‐3p) identified in the microarray experiment was additionally evaluated by qPCR. Enrichment analyses for targeted genes revealed that the major differences between miRNA expression in the mammary gland of HF versus LM were associated with the regulation of signalling pathways that are crucial for mammary gland development, such as TGF‐beta, insulin, WNT and inflammatory pathways. Moreover, a number of genes potentially targeted by significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were associated with the activity of mammary stem cells. These data indicate that the high developmental potential of the mammary gland in dairy cattle, leading to high milk productivity, depends also on a specific miRNA expression pattern.     

鸭肠炎病毒感染鸭肝脏组织miRNA表达谱差异分析

为探究鸭感染鸭肠炎病毒（Duck enteritis virus,DEV）后肝脏miRNA表达谱的差异,试验以DEV-GZ株经腿部肌肉接种30日龄麻鸭,于感染后66、90和114 h采集鸭肝脏组织样本,提取组织总RNA,经质检合格后,采用高通量测序技术对对照组和试验组样品进行miRNA测序,筛选出DEV感染鸭肝脏组织的差异表达miRNA,对其进行生物信息学GO功能分类和KEGG信号通路分析,并随机选取部分差异表达miRNA进行实时荧光定量PCR验证。结果显示,鸭感染DEV后66、90和114 h,肝脏组织差异表达miRNAs数量分别为227、225和231个。GO功能注释显示,感染鸭肝脏差异表达miRNA在生物过程分类中主要为细胞过程、单有机体过程和代谢过程类别;在细胞成分分类中主要是细胞、细胞部分和细胞器类别;在分子功能分类中主要是绑定分子功能和催化活性功能类别。KEGG通路富集显示,差异表达miRNA主要涉及PI3K-Akt、JAK-STAT、磷脂酰肌醇信号通路系统、ECM-受体相互作用、MAPK、Wnt、Toll样受体、IL-17、脂质代谢、钙离子信号通路和cAMP等信号通路,其中感染66 h差异表达miRNA主要在生物系统及神经系统中发挥作用;感染90 h主要在内分泌系统及消化系统中发挥作用;感染114 h主要在全身生物、免疫和消化系统等中发挥作用。选取10个差异表达miRNAs进行实时荧光定量PCR验证,结果与高通量测序结果一致。表明DEV感染对鸭肝脏组织miRNA表达具有显著影响,为从宿主miRNA角度揭示DEV致病机制提供了参考依据。     

miRNA and piRNA expression profiles of breeder cock testes detected by next‐generation sequencing

miRNAs are small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play key roles in diverse biological processes. In this study, we used the Solexa sequencing technique to profile miRNAs in breeder cock testes to illustrate their functions. A total of 663 co‐expressed miRNAs and 3,180 co‐expressed piRNAs were detected in three libraries. Based on Mir‐X^? miRNA qRT‐PCR, three miRNAs representing low, medium and high expression levels according to the sequencing results were selected randomly to validate the miRNAs' expression profiles. Results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, target genes prediction of the co‐expressed miRNAs and further Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed, which revealed that some candidate miRNAs were involved in the regulation of the spermatogenesis process, spermatozoa function and testicular metabolism. In conclusion, we provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs' regulatory role in spermatogenesis, contributing to a preliminary database for functional and molecular mechanistic studies in testicular metabolism, spermatogenesis and other testes functions.     

Identification of candidate miRNAs and expression profile of yak oocytes before and after in vitro maturation by high‐throughput sequencing

Small RNA represents several unique non‐coding RNA classes that have important function in a wide range of biological processes including development of germ cells and early embryonic, cell differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis in diverse organisms. However, little is known about their expression profiles and effects in yak oocytes maturation and early development. To investigate the function of small RNAs in the maturation process of yak oocyte and early development, two small RNA libraries of oocytes were constructed from germinal vesicle stage (GV) and maturation in vitro to metaphase II‐arrested stage (M II) and then sequenced using small RNA high‐throughput sequencing technology. A total of 9,742,592 and 12,168,523 clean reads were obtained from GV and M II oocytes, respectively. In total, 801 and 1,018 known miRNAs were acquired from GV and M II oocytes, and 75 miRNAs were found to be significantly differentially expressed: 47 miRNAs were upregulated and 28 miRNAs were downregulated in the M II oocytes compared to the GV stage. Among the upregulated miRNAs, miR‐342 has the largest fold change (9.25‐fold). Six highly expressed miRNAs (let‐7i, miR‐10b, miR‐10c, miR‐143, miR‐146b and miR‐148) were validated by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, the expression patterns of two miRNAs and their potential targets were analysed in different developmental stages of oocytes and early embryos. This study provides the first miRNA profile in the mature process of yak oocyte. Seventy‐five miRNAs are expressed differentially in GV and M II oocytes as well as among different development stages of early embryos, suggesting miRNAs involved in regulating oocyte maturation and early development of yak. These results showed specific miRNAs in yak oocytes had dynamic changes during meiosis. Further functional and mechanistic studies on the miRNAs during meiosis may beneficial to understanding the role of miRNAs on meiotic division.     

羊传染性脓疱病毒感染山羊皮肤成纤维上皮细胞差异表达miRNA分析

旨在研究羊传染性脓疱病毒（orf virus，orfv）感染山羊皮肤成纤维细胞（goat skin fibroblasts cell，GSF）对GSF细胞microRNA（miRNA）表达谱影响，探究miRNA在orfv感染过程中的作用及调控机制。分别提取感染和未感染orfv的GSF细胞总RNA，构建miRNA文库，利用高通量测序技术进行miRNA差异表达分析，对差异表达miRNA靶基因进行预测，并进行GO和KEGG分析，随机选取10个差异miRNA进行RT-qPCR验证。结果显示，orfv感染组和未感染GSF细胞组相比共有678个显著差异表达的miRNA（fold change≥1.5），其中，上调表达miRNA有509个，下调表达miRNA有169个，uniq_miRNA的Venn图分析显示，感染组和对照组共有的miRNA仅占8.21%；GO和KEGG分析显示，差异表达miRNA主要参与脂质代谢、受体及细胞因子信号转导等细胞生物学过程，RT-qPCR验证结果与高通量测序结果一致。本研究结果表明，orfv感染GSF细胞对其编码的miRNA有显著影响，获得大量GSF细胞编码的与orfv感染相关的差异miRNA，为进一步从宿主miRNA层面揭示orfv感染和致病机制提供了参考依据。     

Rno‐miR‐425‐5p targets the DLST and SLC16A1 genes to reduce liver damage caused by excessive energy mobilization under cold stress

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded non‐coding small RNA molecules, which participate in the regulation of many physiological processes, and play a crucial role in cancer, metabolism and other processes. Rno‐miR‐425‐5p has been shown to play a role in the response to cold stress. To explore the mechanism by which rno‐miR‐425‐5p regulates the response to cold stress, we analysed the candidate target genes of rno‐miR‐425‐5p. After verification in rat hepatocyte BRL cells and in rat liver tissue, we identified several target genes that were altered in expression in response to cold stress. In rat liver tissue, the expression of rno‐miR‐425‐5p was significantly increased and the expression levels of target genes DLST and SLC16A1 were decreased under cold stress. The miRNA and mRNA levels were analysed by quantitative real‐time PCR and the protein levels were detected by Western blot analysis. Combined with the results of bioinformatic analysis, we concluded that rno‐miR‐425‐5p reduced the expression of DLST and SLC16A1, inhibiting energy release from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and preventing the liver from being injured by excessive energy mobilization.     

乏情和发情初产母猪卵巢microRNA差异表达分析

为了探索卵巢microRNA （miRNA）在初产母猪生殖调控中的作用,本研究利用Illumina高通量测序技术检测了乏情和发情初产母猪卵巢miRNA的表达谱,并对表达量较高且差异显著的miRNA进行生物信息学分析。结果显示,本研究构建的两个small RNA文库共鉴定出503个miRNAs,其中已知的303个,新预测的200个。在已知的miRNA中,ssc-miR-10b在两个文库中的表达量最高,其次为ssc-miR-143-3p和ssc-miR-26a;在新预测的miRNA中,chr13_2637_mature在两个文库中的表达量最高,其次为chr8_9994_mature。与发情母猪相比,共有145个miRNAs发生显著变化（read counts>10,∣log₂（fold-change）∣>1）,上调114个,下调31个。在进一步筛选的31个表达量较高且差异显著的miRNAs（read counts>1 000,∣log₂（fold-change）∣>1）中,新预测的chr13_2585_mature上调倍数最高,且只在乏情母猪卵巢中表达。31个miRNAs共预测到7 388个靶基因,KEGG信号通路分析显示,有2 788个靶基因注释到了297个KEGG通路,前20个最富集的通路部分与生殖过程或生殖活动调控相关,表明这31个miRNAs参与了初产母猪的生殖调控。本研究结果丰富了猪miRNA数据资源,为进一步深入研究初产母猪的繁殖性能提供了理论依据。     

感染产肠毒素大肠杆菌的猪小肠上皮细胞microRNA表达谱分析

试验旨在探索产肠毒素大肠杆菌（enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli，ETEC）感染猪小肠上皮细胞（IPEC-J2）诱导的microRNA （miRNA）表达谱变化，为解析宿主miRNA在ETEC感染过程中的调控作用提供理论基础。利用Illumina 6000 Novoseq SE50测序平台分别对ETEC感染前后的IPEC-J2进行高通量测序，用Bowtie与参考基因组比对，用DESeq R Package进行miRNA差异性分析。通过miRanda和RNAhybid共同预测差异表达miRNA的靶基因，对差异表达miRNA靶基因进行GO功能和KEGG通路分析。随机选取5个miRNAs，对测序结果进行实时荧光定量PCR验证。结果显示，IPEC-J2在感染前后的sRNA文库经过滤分别得到12 889 260和11 203 056条clean reads。感染前后文库中，miRNA所占比例最高，分别为73.16%和54.10%；分别有97.98%和69.83%长度为18~40 nt的sRNA可比对到参考基因组，表明测序质控良好。长度在22~24 nt的序列大部分首位碱基偏向U，2~8位点出现频率最高的碱基分别为AGCUUAU。共发现311个已知miRNAs，128个新miRNAs。在2个文库中，长度为23 nt的miRNA序列占比最高，分别为41.42%和23.56%。感染后共筛选到140个差异表达miRNAs，其中74个表达上调，66个表达下调。GO分析表明，miRNA靶基因显著富集于代谢过程、正向调节代谢过程、细胞成分或生物合成、免疫系统、细胞内部分和细胞器等功能。KEGG分析表明，差异表达miRNA靶基因显著富集于赖氨酸降解、生产IgA的肠道免疫网络、NF-κB信号通路和T细胞受体信号通路等。实时荧光定量PCR验证结果表明，随机选取的5个miRNAs表达趋势与测序结果一致，表明测序准确可靠。综上所述，IPEC-J2的miRNAs参与了ETEC感染过程，为进一步揭示调控ETEC感染的关键miRNA及其作用机制提供科学依据。     

鸡白痢沙门菌感染雏鸡的骨髓miRNA表达谱分析

旨在探究鸡白痢沙门菌(Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum,S.Pullorum)感染雏鸡后骨髓miRNA的差异表达特征,为深入了解鸡白痢沙门菌的致病机制提供理论基础。将7日龄SPF雏鸡随机分为两组,分别口服鸡白痢沙门菌和PBS,于感染24 h后采集骨髓进行miRNA测序,筛选差异倍数≥2且P值≤0.05的差异表达miRNAs进行靶基因预测以及GO、KEGG富集分析,随机选取6个miRNAs进行qRT-PCR验证,构建与免疫过程相关的miRNA-mRNA靶点网络。通过miRNA测序,共获得20个已知的差异表达miRNAs,其中11个上调,9个下调。qRT-PCR结果表明,miRNA变化趋势与测序结果一致。GO分析结果表明,差异表达基因主要富集在膜运输、信号转导、免疫系统、碳水化合物代谢、糖类的生物合成和代谢等,KEGG的信号通路主要富集在Notch信号通路、Hedgehog信号通路、PPAR信号通路、AMPK信号通路、Hippo信号通路等,miRNA-mRNA网络互作发现,gga-miR-1466和gga-miR-6643-5p可能是参与免疫过程相关的关键miRNA。本研究解析了鸡白痢沙门菌感染雏鸡的骨髓miRNA表达谱特征,为了解鸡白痢沙门菌和鸡之间相互作用的复杂分子致病机制提供了新的见解,为防控鸡白痢沙门菌感染提供了新策略。     

Cell-mediated immunity in horses with sarcoid tumors against sarcoid cells in vitro

Cell-mediated immunity in horses with sarcoid tumor against sarcoid antigens was studied in vitro by means of mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture assay and lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity of 52Cr-labeled target cells. When Mc-1 sarcoid cells were used as stimulatory cells for peripheral blood lymphocytes in the mixed lymphocyte tumor cell assay, a clear difference in the kinetics of the generated lymphocytic proliferative response could be detected between sarcoid and control horses. With sarcoid horses, their proliferative maximum was reached 3 days earlier than that of the control horses, and at this time their proliferative activity was significantly increased over that of control horses. When normal allogeneic fibroblasts were used as stimulatory cells, no such difference between sarcoid and control horses could be seen. The cellular cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from sarcoid and control horses against Mc-1 cells or normal allogeneic fibroblast targets was very low. However, the mean cytotoxicity against Mc-1 was slightly increased for sarcoid horses as compared with that of control horses. In contrast, the cytotoxicity against allogeneic fibroblasts was slightly lower for sarcoid than for control horses. In contrast, the cytotoxicity against allogeneic fibroblasts was slightly lower for sarcoid than for control horses. Furthermore, it was shown that sarcoid horses, but not control horses, had a slightly but consistently increased cytotoxicity against Mc-1 cells as compared with that against normal allogeneic fibroblasts.     

胚胎移植前供体牛与受体牛血浆外泌体miRNA差异表达分析

【目的】 探索胚胎移植前供体牛与受体牛血浆外泌体miRNA的表达差异, 以明确血浆外泌体miRNA在牛早期妊娠中的作用及其调控机制。【方法】 以3~6岁、体重480~600 kg的夏南牛作为研究对象, 选取10头供体牛进行同期发情、超数排卵和人工授精, 23头受体牛只做同期发情处理。在人工授精后第7天, 冲洗供体牛子宫以获取囊胚, 选取3头囊胚数相近的供体牛及3头与供体牛体重和年龄均相近的受体牛, 颈静脉采血, 进行血浆外泌体的分离与鉴定; 然后提取血浆外泌体miRNA, 并检测其表达量; 采用R语言中的DESeq差异算法计算P值, 并筛选出P<0.05的miRNA, 对差异表达的miRNA进行靶基因预测、GO功能富集分析和KEGG信号通路分析。【结果】 6个样本的囊泡粒径均在135 nm左右, 符合外泌体的特征。与供体牛相比, 受体牛中有9个miRNAs表达显著上调(P<0.05), 13个miRNAs显著下调(P<0.05);22个差异表达的miRNAs中, 有15个miRNAs预测出无重复的靶基因2 990个。GO功能富集分析和KEGG信号通路分析的结果表明, 这些靶基因主要富集在与生物黏附(biological adhesion)、定位(localization)、细胞连接(cell junction)功能有关的通路上, 显著富集的信号通路与黏着斑(focal adhesion)、黏着连接(adherens junction)有关, 提示血浆外泌体miRNA可能参与调控胚胎着床。【结论】 研究结果可为筛选和探究影响胚胎着床的血浆外泌体miRNA提供参考, 并为进一步阐明血浆外泌体miRNA在母牛早期妊娠调控中的作用提供依据。