Identification of Long Non-Coding RNAs Linked to Parasite Host Immune Response in Sheep
Résumé
Haemonchus contortus is a blood-feeding gastrointestinal nematode considered as one of the most important parasites in small ruminant production worldwide. It is a highly pathogenic parasite that causes anemia, and alters abomasal secretion, resulting in reduced growth, a decrease in reproduction performance and elevated mortality in sheep and goat flocks. Recently, the emergence of anthelmintic-resistant H. contortus strains have encouraged research on the alternative parasite control approaches, such as the development of vaccines, optimized nutrition and genetic selection. The development of massive parallel RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) has allowed the discovery of thousands of previously unannotated noncoding functional elements. Among these non-coding transcripts, there are increasing evidences that suggest that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play major roles in the interaction host-pathogen through regulating gene expression. The liver is an important participant in the host defense against gastro-intestinal nematodes, due to its role in inflammation, pathogen clearance and stress. To predict lncRNAs implicated in sheep immune response to parasites, we have used RNA-Seq samples from liver from 3 control sheep and 9 sheep naturally exposed to H. contortus. These latest sheep were previously categorized as high and (n=4) and low immune (n=5) responders based on their immunoglobulin G levels after vaccination using Hen Egg White (HEW) Lysozyme. Using the files from the alignment, we performed an assembly that allowed us to generate a reconstructed transcript model file. Then FEELnc software was used for lncRNA prediction. In this study, 28,826 lncRNAs were identified in the liver transcriptome. Of them, 10,022 were overlapping with a gene annotated in the Ovis aries genome (Oar_v3.1, release 94) and 18,804 were intergenic. In the preliminary differentially expression analysis, 121 and 104 lncRNAs were differentially expressed, between high immune responder sheep compared to controls and between low immune responder sheep compared to controls, respectively. One lncRNA was found differentially expressed between high and low immune responder sheep. Among the enriched functional processes, we found Gene Ontology terms such as platelet alpha granule membrane (FDR= 2.822E-4) or thyroid hormone transport (FDR= 4.143E-2). Platelets are known to interact with parasites and play a substantial role in antiparasitic immune response. In addition, thyroid hormone has been suggested to act against parasitic infection through the modulation of innate immune cell function. The identification of of differentially expressed lncRNA in the liver of sheep infested with H. contortus together with the detection of biological mechanisms related to the interaction host-pathogen suggests that lncRNAs could be modulating host response to parasites.