Differential miRNA Expression Profiling Reveals Correlation of miR125b-5p with Persistent Infection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play versatile roles in multiple biological processes. However, little is known about miRNA’s involvement in flavivirus persistent infection. Here, we used an miRNA array analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected cells to search for persistent infection-associated miRNAs in comparison to acute infection. Among all differentially expressed miRNAs, the miR-125b-5p is the most significantly increased one. The high level of miR-125b-5p in persistently JEV-infected cells was confirmed by Northern analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. As soon as the cells established a persistent infection, a significantly high expression of miR-125b-5p was readily observed. Transfecting excess quantities of a miR-125b-5p mimic into acutely infected cells reduced genome replication and virus titers. Host targets of miR125b-5p were analyzed by target prediction algorithms, and six candidates were confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. These genes were upregulated in the acutely infected cells and sharply declined in the persistently infected cells. The transfection of the miR125b-5p mimic reduced the expression levels of Stat3, Map2k7, and Triap1. Our studies indicated that miR-125b-5p targets both viral and host sequences, suggesting its role in coordinating viral replication and host antiviral responses. This is the first report to characterize the potential roles of miR-125b-5p in persistent JEV infections.     

Identification of microRNAs in the Lyme Disease Vector Ixodes scapularis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs involved in many biological processes, including the immune pathways that control bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. Pathogens probably modify host miRNAs to facilitate successful infection, so they might be useful targets for vaccination strategies. There are few data on differentially expressed miRNAs in the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis after infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease in the United States. Small RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis were used to identify and validate differentially expressed I. scapularis salivary miRNAs. Small RNA-seq yielded 133,465,828 (≥18 nucleotides) and 163,852,135 (≥18 nucleotides) small RNA reads from Borrelia-infected and uninfected salivary glands for downstream analysis using the miRDeep2 algorithm. As such, 254 miRNAs were identified across all datasets, 25 of which were high confidence and 51 low confidence known miRNAs. Further, 23 miRNAs were differentially expressed in uninfected and infected salivary glands: 11 were upregulated and 12 were downregulated upon pathogen infection. Gene ontology and network analysis of target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs predicted roles in metabolic, cellular, development, cellular component biogenesis, and biological regulation processes. Several Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including sphingolipid metabolism; valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation; lipid transport and metabolism; exosome biogenesis and secretion; and phosphate-containing compound metabolic processes, were predicted as targets of differentially expressed miRNAs. A qRT-PCR assay was utilized to validate the differential expression of miRNAs. This study provides new insights into the miRNAs expressed in I. scapularis salivary glands and paves the way for their functional manipulation to prevent or treat B. burgdorferi infection.     

Analysis of miRNA Expression Profiling of RIP2 Knockdown in Chicken HD11 Cells When Infected with Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC)

Colibacillosis is an acute and chronic avian disease caused by avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Previous studies have demonstrated that RIP2 plays a significant role in APEC infection. Moreover, increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in host–pathogen interactions and the immune response. However, the role of miRNAs in the host against APEC infection remains unclear. Herein, we attempted to reveal new miRNAs potentially involved in the regulation of the immune and inflammatory response against APEC infection, with a particular focus on those possibly correlated with RIP2 expression, via miRNA-seq, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and CCK-8. The results showed that a total of 93 and 148 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in the knockdown of RIP2 cells following APEC infection (shRIP2+APEC) vs. knockdown of RIP2 cells (shRIP2) and shRIP2 vs. wild-type cells (WT), respectively. Among those identified DE miRNAs, the biological function of gga-miR-455-5p was investigated. It was found that gga-miR-455-5p regulated by RIP2 was involved in the immune and inflammatory response against APEC infection via targeting of IRF2 to modulate the expression of type I interferons. Additionally, RIP2 could directly regulate the production of the type I interferons. Altogether, these findings highlighted the crucial role of miRNAs, especially gga-miR-455-5p, in host defense against APEC infection.     

Antiviral Activity of Baicalein and Quercetin against the Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Japanese encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral disease, is endemic to the entire east and southeast Asia, and some other parts of the world. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic available for JE; therefore, finding the effective antiviral agent against JEV replication is crucial. In the present study, the in vitro antiviral activity of baicalein and quercetin, two purportedly antiviral bioflavonoids, was evaluated against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) replication in Vero cells. Anti-JEV activities of these compounds were examined on different stages of JEV replication cycle. The effects of the compounds on virus replication were determined by foci forming unit reduction assay (FFURA) and quantitative RT-PCR. Baicalein showed potent antiviral activity with IC₅₀ = 14.28 μg/mL when it was introduced to the Vero cells after adsorption of JEV. Quercetin exhibited weak anti-JEV effects with IC₅₀ = 212.1 μg/mL when the JEV infected cells were treated with the compound after virus adsorption. However, baicalein exhibited significant effect against JEV adsorption with IC₅₀ = 7.27 μg/mL while quercetin did not show any anti-adsorption activity. Baicalein also exhibited direct extracellular virucidal activity on JEV with IC₅₀ = 3.44 μg/mL. However, results of quantitative RT-PCR experiments confirmed the findings from FFURA. This study demonstrated that baicalein should be considered as an appropriate candidate for further investigations, such as the study of molecular and cellular mechanism(s) of action and in vivo evaluation for the development of an effective antiviral compound against Japanese encephalitis virus.     

Identification of miRNAs and Their Targets in Cotton Inoculated with Verticillium dahliae by High-Throughput Sequencing and Degradome Analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of endogenous small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress response processes. Verticillium wilt is a vascular disease in plants mainly caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., the soil-borne fungal pathogen. However, the role of miRNAs in the regulation of Verticillium defense responses is mostly unknown. This study aimed to identify new miRNAs and their potential targets that are involved in the regulation of Verticillium defense responses. Four small RNA libraries and two degradome libraries from mock-infected and infected roots of cotton (both Gossypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L.) were constructed for deep sequencing. A total of 140 known miRNAs and 58 novel miRNAs were identified. Among the identified miRNAs, many were differentially expressed between libraries. Degradome analysis showed that a total of 83 and 24 genes were the targets of 31 known and 14 novel miRNA families, respectively. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that many of the identified miRNA targets may function in controlling root development and the regulation of Verticillium defense responses in cotton. Our findings provide an overview of potential miRNAs involved in the regulation of Verticillium defense responses in cotton and the interactions between miRNAs and their corresponding targets. The profiling of these miRNAs lays the foundation for further understanding of the function of small RNAs in regulating plant response to fungal infection and Verticillium wilt in particular.     

The Interaction of Human and Epstein–Barr Virus miRNAs with Multiple Sclerosis Risk Loci

Although the causes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) still remain largely unknown, multiple lines of evidence suggest that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection may contribute to the development of MS. Here, we aimed to identify the potential contribution of EBV-encoded and host cellular miRNAs to MS pathogenesis. We identified differentially expressed host miRNAs in EBV infected B cells (LCLs) and putative host/EBV miRNA interactions with MS risk loci. We estimated the genotype effect of MS risk loci on the identified putative miRNA:mRNA interactions in silico. We found that the protective allele of MS risk SNP rs4808760 reduces the expression of hsa-mir-3188-3p. In addition, our analysis suggests that hsa-let-7b-5p may interact with ZC3HAV1 differently in LCLs compared to B cells. In vitro assays indicated that the protective allele of MS risk SNP rs10271373 increases ZC3HAV1 expression in LCLs, but not in B cells. The higher expression for the protective allele in LCLs is consistent with increased IFN response via ZC3HAV1 and so decreased immune evasion by EBV. Taken together, this provides evidence that EBV infection dysregulates the B cell miRNA machinery, including MS risk miRNAs, which may contribute to MS pathogenesis via interaction with MS risk genes either directly or indirectly.     

流行性乙型脑炎病毒在二倍体细胞上的适应性

目的研究流行性乙型脑炎病毒在二倍体(2BS)细胞上的传代适应性,确定在2BS细胞上培养乙脑病毒的条件和方法。方法通过病毒毒力和免疫原性检测,观察在不同培养条件下乙脑病毒在2BS细胞上的增殖情况。结果pH值在7·4～7·6之间、人血白蛋白含量为0·2%、病毒稀释度为1:1000时,病毒维持液培养的病毒滴度最高。在2BS细胞上传50代的病毒滴度均在7·0logLD50以上,且差异无显著意义。连续传代后病毒的免疫原性下降。结论建议用于建立病毒种子库的流行性乙型脑炎病毒,在2BS细胞上传代不应超过3代。     

Identification of Novel miRNAs and Their Target Genes in the Response to Abscisic Acid in Arabidopsis

miRNAs are involved in various biological processes, including adaptive responses to abiotic stress. To understand the role of miRNAs in the response to ABA, ABA-responsive miRNAs were identified by small RNA sequencing in wild-type Arabidopsis, as well as in abi1td, mkkk17, and mkkk18 mutants. We identified 10 novel miRNAs in WT after ABA treatment, while in abi1td, mkkk17, and mkkk18 mutants, three, seven, and nine known miRNAs, respectively, were differentially expressed after ABA treatment. One novel miRNA (miRn-8) was differentially expressed in the mkkk17 mutant. Potential target genes of the miRNA panel were identified using psRNATarget. Sequencing results were validated by quantitative RT-PCR of several known and novel miRNAs in all genotypes. Of the predicted targets of novel miRNAs, seven target genes of six novel miRNAs were further validated by 5′ RLM-RACE. Gene ontology analyses showed the potential target genes of ABA-responsive known and novel miRNAs to be involved in diverse cellular processes in plants, including development and stomatal movement. These outcomes suggest that a number of the identified miRNAs have crucial roles in plant responses to environmental stress, as well as in plant development, and might have common regulatory roles in the core ABA signaling pathway.     

乙型脑炎病毒减毒株SA14-14-2在小鼠体内的动态分布

目的研究乙型脑炎病毒减毒株SA14-14-2在小鼠体内的动态分布。方法将SA14-14-2株分别经脑内和皮下途径接种小鼠,采用BHK21细胞病毒蚀斑法检测接种后不同时间病毒在小鼠不同脏器中的分布。同时以不同稀释度的强毒株SA14为对照。结果SA14-14-2株经脑内感染小鼠后,除在脑组织中短时间检出病毒外,在其他组织中均未检出病毒;经皮下感染小鼠后,在任何组织中均未检出病毒。而强毒株SA14无论经脑内还是皮下途径感染小鼠,在各种脏器中均可检出病毒。结论SA14-14-2株经皮下感染小鼠后,病毒不能在体内复制,证明乙型脑炎病毒减毒活疫苗具有较好的安全性。     

Identification of miRNAs and Target Genes at Key Stages of Sexual Differentiation in Androdioecious Osmanthus fragrans

Androdioecy is the crucial transition state in the evolutionary direction of hermaphroditism to dioecy, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of this sex system remain unclear. While popular in China for its ornamental and cultural value, Osmanthus fragrans has an extremely rare androdioecy breeding system, meaning that there are both male and hermaphroditic plants in a population. To unravel the mechanisms underlying the formation of androdioecy, we performed small RNA sequencing studies on male and hermaphroditic O. fragrans. A total of 334 miRNAs were identified, of which 59 were differentially expressed. Functional categorization revealed that the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the biological processes of reproductive development and the hormone signal transduction pathway. We speculated that the miRNA160, miRNA167, miRNA393 and miRNA396 families may influence the sex differentiation in O. fragrans. Overall, our study is the first exploration of miRNAs in the growth and development process of O. fragrans, and is also the first study of androdioecious plants from the miRNA sequencing perspective. The analysis of miRNAs and target genes that may be involved in the sex differentiation process lay a foundation for the ultimate discovery of the androdioecious molecular mechanism in O. fragrans.     

Restriction of Flaviviruses by an Interferon-Stimulated Gene SHFL/C19orf66

Flaviviruses (the genus Flavivirus of the Flaviviridae family) include many arthropod-borne viruses, often causing life-threatening diseases in humans, such as hemorrhaging and encephalitis. Although the flaviviruses have a significant clinical impact, it has become apparent that flavivirus replication is restricted by cellular factors induced by the interferon (IFN) response, which are called IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). SHFL (shiftless antiviral inhibitor of ribosomal frameshifting) is a novel ISG that inhibits dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infections. Interestingly, SHFL functions as a broad-spectrum antiviral factor exhibiting suppressive activity against various types of RNA and DNA viruses. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which SHFL inhibits flavivirus infection and discuss the molecular basis of the inhibitory mechanism using a predicted tertiary structure of SHFL generated by the program AlphaFold2.     

gga-miR-101-3p Plays a Key Role in Mycoplasma gallisepticum (HS Strain) Infection of Chicken

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), one of the most pathogenic Mycoplasma, has caused tremendous economic loss in the poultry industry. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are involved in microbial pathogenesis. However, little is known about potential roles of miRNAs in MG infection of chicken. In the present study, using miRNA Solexa sequencing we have found that gga-miR-101-3p was up-regulated in the lungs of MG-infected chicken embryos. Moreover, gga-miR-101-3p regulated expression of the host enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) through binding to the 3’ un-translated region (3’-UTR) of EZH2 gene. Over-expression of gga-miR-101-3p significantly inhibited EZH2 expression and hence inhibited proliferation of chicken embryonic fibroblast (DF-1 cells) by blocking the G1-to-S phase transition. Similar results were obtained in MG-infected chicken embryos and DF-1 cells, where gga-miR-101-3p was significantly up-regulated, while EZH2 was significantly down-regulated. This study reveals that gga-miR-101-3p plays an important role in MG infection through regulation of EZH2 expression and provides a new insight into the mechanisms of MG pathogenesis.     

神经生长因子对乙型脑炎病毒感染BHK-21细胞的抑制作用

目的观察神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)对乙型脑炎病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)感染地鼠肾细胞BHK-21的抑制作用。方法将不同浓度的NGF(100、50、25、12.5、6.3、3.1、1.6和0.8μg/L)加入BHK-21细胞中,采用MTT法检测NGF对BHK-21细胞的毒性作用;将不同稀释度的JEV(10-1、10-2、10-3、10-4、10-5、10-6、10-7)JEV感染BHK-21细胞,蚀斑计数法测定病毒滴度;在JEV感染的BHK-21细胞中加入不同浓度的NGF,观察细胞的CPE情况,并通过蚀斑减少率分析NGF对JEV的抑制作用。结果 NGF浓度在100μg/L以内对BHK-21细胞无毒性;JEV的滴度为Lg 8.70 pfu/ml;NGF(12.5μg/L)+JEV组BHK-21细胞病变程度明显减轻;随着NGF浓度的提高,蚀斑减少率也呈升高趋势(r=0.929,P<0.05),NGF浓度为3.1μg/L以上时,蚀斑减少率达10%以上,具有明显的抗JEV效果。结论 NGF在浓度为0.8～100μg/L的范围内,对JEV具有明显的抑制作用,为今后研究NGF抗病毒的作用机制奠定了实验基础。     

Conserved miRNAs and Their Response to Salt Stress in Wild Eggplant Solanum linnaeanum Roots

The Solanaceae family includes some important vegetable crops, and they often suffer from salinity stress. Some miRNAs have been identified to regulate gene expression in plant response to salt stress; however, little is known about the involvement of miRNAs in Solanaceae species. To identify salt-responsive miRNAs, high-throughput sequencing was used to sequence libraries constructed from roots of the salt tolerant species, Solanum linnaeanum, treated with and without NaCl. The sequencing identified 98 conserved miRNAs corresponding to 37 families, and some of these miRNAs and their expression were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Under the salt stress, 11 of the miRNAs were down-regulated, and 3 of the miRNAs were up-regulated. Potential targets of the salt-responsive miRNAs were predicted to be involved in diverse cellular processes in plants. This investigation provides valuable information for functional characterization of miRNAs in S. linnaeanum, and would be useful for developing strategies for the genetic improvement of the Solanaceae crops.