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Hamza E, Cosandey J, Gerber V, Koch C, Unger L. The potential of three whole blood microRNAs to predict outcome and monitor treatment response in sarcoid-bearing equids. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:87-98. [PMID: 35484337 PMCID: PMC9873782 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09930-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoid (ES) disease. In this study, the suitability of three whole blood miRNAs to diagnose ES and to predict and monitor the outcome of therapy was explored. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), expression levels of eca-miR-127, eca-miR-379, and eca-miR-432 in whole blood of ES-affected equids before and at least one year after therapy were compared to those of unaffected control equids. Associations of age, sex, species, diagnosis, and therapy outcome with miRNA expression levels were examined using general linear models. In total, 48 ES-affected equids and 47 control equids were recruited. From the affected animals, 31 responded favorably to treatment, and 17 demonstrated a failure of therapy. None of the tested miRNAs were influenced by age. Male equids showed increased expression of eca-miR-127 compared to females and horses showed higher expression levels of eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 than donkeys. Eca-miR-127 was confirmed as a diagnostic discriminator between ES-affected and control equids. No difference in miRNA profiles before therapy was found when comparing ES-affected equids with success vs. failure of therapy. Eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 decreased over time in horses where therapy was successful, but not in those cases where it failed. Biological variables influence equine whole blood miRNA expression, which may complicate biomarker validation. While none of the tested miRNAs could predict the response to therapy in ES-affected equids and eca-miR-127 showed poor diagnostic accuracy for ES, eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 miRNAs might allow refinement of monitoring of success of ES therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Hamza
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland ,Departement of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - J. Cosandey
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - V. Gerber
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - C. Koch
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - L. Unger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Cosandey J, Hamza E, Gerber V, Ramseyer A, Leeb T, Jagannathan V, Blaszczyk K, Unger L. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of eight whole blood microRNAs for equine sarcoid disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261076. [PMID: 34941894 PMCID: PMC8699634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoids, the most prevalent equine skin tumors globally. This study served to validate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of whole blood microRNAs identified in a previous study for long-term equine sarcoid diagnosis and outcome prediction. Based on findings of a clinical examination at the age of 3 years and a follow-up following a further 5–12 years, 32 Franches-Montagnes and 45 Swiss Warmblood horses were assigned to four groups: horses with regression (n = 19), progression (n = 9), new occurrences of sarcoid lesions (n = 19) and tumor-free control horses (n = 30). The expression levels for eight microRNAs (eca-miR-127, eca-miR-432, eca-miR-24, eca-miR-125a-5p, eca-miR-134, eca-miR-379, eca-miR-381, eca-miR-382) were analyzed through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction in whole blood samples collected on initial examination. Associations of sex, breed, diagnosis, and prognosis with microRNA expression levels were examined using multivariable analysis of variance. Sex and breed influenced the expression level of five and two microRNAs, respectively. Eca-miR-127 allowed discrimination between sarcoid-affected and tumor-free horses. No variation in microRNA expression was found when comparing horses with sarcoid regression and progression. Expression levels of eca-miR-125a-5p and eca-miR-432 varied in male horses that developed sarcoids throughout the study period in comparison to male control horses. While none of the investigated miRNAs was validated for predicting the prognosis of sarcoid regression / progression within young horses with this condition, two miRNAs demonstrated potential to predict if young male (though not female) tumor-free horse can develop sarcoids within the following years. Sex- and breed- biased miRNAs exist within the equine species and have an impact on biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Cosandey
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eman Hamza
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Ramseyer
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Klaudia Blaszczyk
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Unger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
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Winter E, Cisilotto J, Silva AH, Rosolen D, Fabichak AP, Rode MP, Creczynski-Pasa TB. MicroRNAs: Potential biomarkers for reproduction, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic in domestic animals. Res Vet Sci 2021; 142:117-132. [PMID: 34942556 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in a wide range of biological processes through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Most studies evaluated microRNA expression in human, and despite fewer studies in veterinary medicine, this topic is one of the most exciting areas of modern veterinary medicine. miRNAs showed to be part of the pathogenesis of diseases and reproduction physiology in animals, making them biomarkers candidates. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding miRNAs' role in reproduction and animal diseases, diagnostic and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Winter
- Department of Agriculture, Biodiversity and Forests, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, 89520000, SC, Brazil.
| | - Júlia Cisilotto
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Adny Henrique Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Daiane Rosolen
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Fabichak
- Department of Agriculture, Biodiversity and Forests, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, 89520000, SC, Brazil
| | - Michele Patricia Rode
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Tânia Beatriz Creczynski-Pasa
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
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Unger L, Abril C, Gerber V, Jagannathan V, Koch C, Hamza E. Diagnostic potential of three serum microRNAs as biomarkers for equine sarcoid disease in horses and donkeys. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:610-619. [PMID: 33415768 PMCID: PMC7848377 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for equine sarcoids (ES). OBJECTIVES To assess eca-miR-331, eca-miR-100, and eca-miR-1 as serum biomarkers for ES disease. ANIMALS Sixty-eight ES cases (56 horses, 12 donkeys), 69 tumor-free controls (60 horses, 9 donkeys), and 20 horses with other skin tumors. METHODS For this case-control study, expression of serum eca-miR-331, eca-miR-100, and eca-miR-1 in ES-affected equids was compared to tumor-free age-, sex-, and breed-matched control horses and donkeys with other skin tumors using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for relative miRNA quantification. Biological, preanalytical, and clinical variable influences on miRNA expression were examined. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine differences in miRNA expression between groups. RESULTS The expression of eca-miR-100 was affected by age (P = .003) and expression of eca-miR-100 and eca-miR-1 were affected by hemolysis (both P < .001). Eca-miR-331 was unaffected by biological variation, hemolysis, ES type, and disease severity. Eca-miR-331 concentrations were higher in ES-affected compared to tumor-free controls (P = .002). The ROC curve analysis indicated an area under the curve of 0.65 (P = .002) with a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 71%, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.1 and 0.56, respectively, to diagnose ES. Eca-miR-331 expression did not discriminate between horses with ES and other skin tumors. Expression of eca-miR-100 and eca-miR-1 was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Serum eca-miR-331 expression is neither sensitive nor specific enough as a single ES biomarker. If combined with other miRNAs, it may be helpful for ES diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Unger
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlos Abril
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Koch
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eman Hamza
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
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Semik-Gurgul E. Molecular approaches to equine sarcoids. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:221-230. [PMID: 32654178 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoids are the most commonly diagnosed skin tumours in equines. Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) are the primary causative agent of sarcoids. There has been intensive research to discover the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the aetiopathogenesis of this disease and tumour suppressors and proto-oncogenes known to play a role in human neoplastic conditions have been investigated in equine sarcoids. Current approaches include the identification of gene expression profiles, characterising sarcoid and normal skin tissues, and an assessment of epigenetic alterations such as microRNA differential expression and DNA methylation status. This review focuses on selected groups of genes that contribute to the molecular mechanisms of sarcoid formation. These genes have the potential to complement current clinical examinations of equine sarcoid disease in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic response and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Semik-Gurgul
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Balice, Poland
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Podstawski P, Witarski W, Szmatoła T, Bugno-Poniewierska M, Ropka-Molik K. Mobility and Invasion Related Gene Expression Patterns in Equine Sarcoid. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10050880. [PMID: 32438542 PMCID: PMC7278424 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The current studies profiled the expression of five equine sarcoid cell genes related to cell mobility and invasion (cell cycle control binding protein alpha, coronin 1b, metalloproteinase 2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 and vimentin) and compared the expression of these genes in healthy skin fibroblasts. Cells were collected from healthy and sarcoid-affected skin biopsies obtained by a qualified veterinarian. Gene expression patterns were investigated under two different conditions of cell culture, with high and low availability of nutritional components in the culture medium. The results showed significant differences in the expression of the two analyzed genes (coronin 1b and vimentin) depending on culture conditions. The obtained results emphasize the complexity of the genomic background of sarcoids and indicate the importance of further research on genes related to the physiological changes that occur in sarcoids. Abstract Sarcoids are the most common skin neoplasm in the Equidae family. Sarcoids are benign, but may cause severe damage in affected animals. Due to the high risk of post-treatment recurrence and the lack of an effective method of treatment, it is reasonable to perform studies on the molecular aspects of this neoplasm. Therefore, the present studies analyzed five genes (cell cycle control binding protein alpha, coronin 1b, metalloproteinase 2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 and vimentin) related to cell mobility and invasion traits. Primary healthy fibroblasts and sarcoid cells were obtained from skin biopsies. Cell lines were cultured in two different medium types with different concentrations of foetal bovine serum (10% and 0.5% FBS) to study its influence on the analyzed genes. Gene expression was measured using the real-time PCR method. The results showed significant differences in two genes (coronin and vimentin) depending on culture conditions. In conclusion, the results enabled finding two new genes, related to cell motility and invasion traits, in which gene expression is deregulated. Results of the study may put new knowledge into the complexity of the genetic background of this disease and show the importance of further analysis on this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Podstawski
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland; (W.W.); (T.S.); (K.R.-M.)
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Mickiewicza24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Wojciech Witarski
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland; (W.W.); (T.S.); (K.R.-M.)
| | - Tomasz Szmatoła
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland; (W.W.); (T.S.); (K.R.-M.)
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Bugno-Poniewierska
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Mickiewicza24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Ropka-Molik
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland; (W.W.); (T.S.); (K.R.-M.)
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Zhang H, Liu X, Yang X, Wu H, Zhu J, Zhang H. miRNA-mRNA Integrated Analysis Reveals Roles for miRNAs in a Typical Halophyte, Reaumuria soongorica, during Seed Germination under Salt Stress. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9030351. [PMID: 32164348 PMCID: PMC7154850 DOI: 10.3390/plants9030351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses. Reaumuria soongorica is a typical halophyte that is widely distributed in saline–alkali desert regions. Under salt stress, R. soongorica can complete germination, a critical biological process in the life cycle of seed plants. To identify miRNAs and predict target mRNAs involved in seed germination during salt stress, nine small-RNA libraries were constructed and analyzed from R. soongorica seeds treated with various concentrations of NaCl. We also obtained transcriptome data under the same treatment conditions. Further analysis identified 88 conserved miRNAs representing 25 defined families and discovered 13 novel miRNAs from nine libraries. A co-expression analysis was performed on the same samples to identify putative miRNA–mRNA interactions that were responsive to salt stress. A comparative analysis of expression during germination under 273 (threshold) and 43 mM (optimal) NaCl treatments identified 13 differentially expressed miRNAs and 23 corresponding target mRNAs, while a comparison between 43 mM NaCl and non-salt-stress conditions uncovered one differentially expressed miRNA and one corresponding target mRNA. These results provide basic data for further study of molecular mechanisms involved in the germination of salt-stressed R. soongorica seeds, and also provide a reference for the improvement of salt tolerance during plant germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilong Zhang
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
| | - Haiwen Wu
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhu
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-10-6288-8900 (J.Z.); +86-10-6288-9343 (H.Z.)
| | - Huaxin Zhang
- Research Center of Saline and Alkali Land of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China; (H.Z.); (X.L.); (X.Y.); (H.W.)
- Tianjin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Tianjin 300450, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-10-6288-8900 (J.Z.); +86-10-6288-9343 (H.Z.)
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Unger L, Jagannathan V, Pacholewska A, Leeb T, Gerber V. Differences in miRNA differential expression in whole blood between horses with sarcoid regression and progression. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 33:241-250. [PMID: 30506726 PMCID: PMC6335546 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently no methods are available to predict the clinical outcome of individual horses with equine sarcoid (ES) disease. Objective To investigate if whole blood microRNA (miRNA) profiles can predict the long‐term development of ES tumors. Animals Five horses with regression and 5 with progression of ES lesions monitored over 5‐7 years and 5 control horses free of ES for at least 5 years. Methods For this cohort study, RNA extracted from whole blood samples from the regression, progression, and control groups was used for high throughput sequencing. Known and novel miRNAs were identified using miRDeep2 and differential expression analysis was carried out by the DESeq2 algorithm. Target gene and pathway prediction as well as enrichment and network analyses were conducted using TarBase, mirPath, and metaCore from GeneGo. Results Fourteen miRNAs were differentially expressed between regression and progression groups after accounting for the control condition: 4 miRNAs (28.6%) were upregulated and 10 miRNAs (71.4%) were downregulated with >2‐fold change. Seven of the 10 downregulated miRNAs are encoded in an miRNA cluster on equine chromosome 24, homologous to the well‐known 14q32 cluster in humans. Their target genes show enrichment for pathways involved in viral carcinogenesis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Whole blood miRNA expression profiles are associated with long‐term ES growth in horses and warrant further validation as prognostic biomarkers in a larger study cohort. Deregulation of miRNAs on equine chromosome 24 might represent a trigger for ES development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Unger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alicja Pacholewska
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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