RNA sequencing reveals dynamic expression of spleen lncRNAs and mRNAs in Beagle dogs infected by Toxocara canis

Xu, Yue; Zheng, Wen Bin; Li, Hao Yu; Cai, Lang; Zou, Yang; Xie, Shi Chen; Zhu, Xing Quan; Elsheikha, Hany M.

Abstract

Background: Toxocara canis is a cosmopolitan parasite with a significant adverse impact on the health of humans and animals. The spleen is a major immune organ that plays essential roles in protecting the host against various infections. However, its role in T. canis infection has not received much attention. Methods: We performed sequencing-based transcriptome profiling of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the spleen of Beagle puppies at 24 h post-infection (hpi), 96 hpi and 36 days post-infection (dpi). Deep sequencing of RNAs isolated from the spleen of six puppies (three infected and three control) at each time point after infection was conducted. Results: Our analysis revealed 614 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 262 DEmRNAs at 24 hpi; 726 DElncRNAs and 878 DEmRNAs at 96 hpi; and 686 DElncRNAs and 504 DEmRNAs at 36 dpi. Of those, 35 DElncRNA transcripts and 11 DEmRNAs were detected at all three time points post-infection. Many DE genes were enriched in immune response, such as ifit1, ifit2 and rorc. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that some genes (e.g. prkx and tnfrsf11a) were involved in the T cell receptor signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: The findings of this study show marked alterations in the expression profiles of spleen lncRNAs and mRNAs, with possible implications in the pathophysiology of toxocariasis.

Citation

Xu, Y., Zheng, W. B., Li, H. Y., Cai, L., Zou, Y., Xie, S. C., …Elsheikha, H. M. (2022). RNA sequencing reveals dynamic expression of spleen lncRNAs and mRNAs in Beagle dogs infected by Toxocara canis. Parasites and Vectors, 15(1), Article 279. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05380-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 28, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 4, 2022
• Publication Date: Aug 4, 2022
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2022
• Journal: Parasites and Vectors
• Print ISSN: 1756-3305
• Electronic ISSN: 1756-3305
• Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 279
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05380-x
• Keywords: Infectious Diseases; Parasitology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9587427
• Publisher URL: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-022-05380-x
• Additional Information: Received: 24 March 2022; Accepted: 28 June 2022; First Online: 4 August 2022; : ; : The protocols and procedures used in the present study involving animal experiments were approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Permit No: 2018-015). The animals were handled in accordance with good animal practices required by the Animal Ethics Procedures and Guidelines of the People’s Republic of China.; : Not applicable.; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The corresponding author Prof Xing-Quan Zhu serves as the Subject Editor for the section “Parasite genetics, genomics and proteomics” of Parasites & Vectors.