miRNA profiling of primary lamb testicle cells infected with lumpy skin disease virus

Abstract

In this study, miRNA pro ling of cells infected with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was conducted for the rst time. As compared to the mock-infected cells, LSDV-infected primary lamb testicle (LT) cells revealed dysregulation of 64, 85, and 85 miRNAs at 12 hours post-infection (hpi), 48 hpi and 72 hpi, respectively. While some of these miRNAs were found to be speci cally dysregulated at a particular time point following LSDV infection, others were commonly dysregulated across all three time points. The analysis of the differentially expressed miRNA-mRNA interaction networks, Gene ontology analysis of the predicted targets and KEGG analysis of the highly enriched pathways revealed several cellular factors/pathways involved in protein/ion/enzyme binding, cell differentiation, movement of subcellular component, calcium reabsorption, aldosterone synthesis and secretion and, melanogenesis. Besides understanding virus replication, virus-host interactions and disease pathogenesis, these miRNAs and their cellular targets may serve as biomarkers as well as novel targets for therapeutic intervention against LSDV.

Identification of miR-29a as a novel biomarker for lumpy skin disease virus exposure in cattle

“…Among the numerous dysregulated miRNAs that were identified in LSDV-infected primary lamb testicle cells [ 27 ], at least five more novel miRNAs were predicted for target sites on genes associated with regulation of interferon induction (Supplementary Figure S1).…”

“…In addition to regulating various physiological, metabolic, and developmental processes, miRNAs have been shown to regulate virus replication and immune responses [ 50 , 51 ]. We selected virus-associated dysregulated miRNAs [ 27 , 52 , 53 ] and confirmed the downregulation of circulating miR-29a levels in LSDV-infected cattle. miR-29a expression in NK cells, CD4 + T cells, and CD8 + T cells from Mycobacterium tuberculosis -infected mice was previously shown to suppress IFN-γ-production [ 52 , 54 ].…”

“…Taken together, it was concluded that miR-29a expression is indirectly involved in antagonizing the IFN-γ response in LSDV-infected cattle, and that reduced miR-29a expression may serve as a novel biomarker during the acute phase of LSDV infection. Among the hundreds of dysregulated miRNAs that have been identified in cells infected with LSDV [ 27 ], at least five more novel miRNAs were predicted to have target sites in genes that are associated with interferon regulation. Their further validation, along with elucidating their role in LSDV infection, is essential and needs further investigation.…”

“…miRNAs have also emerged as crucial regulators of the innate and adaptive immune responses [ 22–26 ]. We recently conducted miRNA profiling of LSDV-infected primary lamb testicular cells at various time points post-infection and identified several dysregulated miRNAs [ 27 ]. However, the specific roles of miRNAs in LSDV replication and pathogenesis remain unclear.…”

Hesperetin blocks poxvirus replication with a low tendency to select for drug‐resistant viral variants

“…While smallpox has been eradicated, the monkeypox virus (MPXV) has recently become an international concern for human health 1 . Likewise, the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) has emerged as an important pathogen in cattle population across many Asian countries with regard to animal health 2–7 . The poxviruses are usually host‐specific 8 .…”