MicroRNA expression profile in RAW264·7 macrophage cells exposed toEchinococcus multilocularismetacestodes
SUMMARYMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs, involved in the regulation of parasite diseases. However, a role of miRNAs inEchinococcus multilocularisinfection remains largely unknown. In this study, we first found the expression levels of key genes involved in miRNA biogenesis and function, includingAgo2,Xpo5,Tarbp2andDgcR8, were obviously altered in the macrophage RAW264·7 cells exposed toE. multilocularismetacestodes. Compared with the control, 18 and 32 known miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (P< 0·05 and fold change >2) in the macrophages exposed toE. multilocularismetacestodes for 6 and 12 h, respectively. Among these, several are known to be involved in regulating cytokine activities and immune responses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that the expression of nine selected miRNAs was consistent with the sequencing data at each treatment time points. Moreover, there were statistically significant correlations between the expression levels of miRNAs and their corresponding targeted genes. Our data give us some clues to pinpoint a role of miRNAs in the course of infection and immunity ofE. multilocularis.