AUTHOR=Yuan Jingwei , Ni Aixin , Li Yunlei , Bian Shixiong , Liu Yunjie , Wang Panlin , Shi Lei , Isa Adamu Mani , Ge Pingzhuang , Sun Yanyan , Ma Hui , Chen Jilan 

TITLE=Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Potential Mechanisms of Resistance to Trichomoniasis gallinae Infection in Pigeon (Columba livia)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.672270

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.672270

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Trichomoniasis gallinae</italic> (<italic>T. gallinae</italic>) is one of the most pathogenic parasites in pigeon, particularly in squabs. Oral cavity is the main site for the host-parasite interaction. Herein, we used RNA-sequencing technology to characterize lncRNA and mRNA profiles and compared transcriptomic dynamics of squabs, including four susceptible birds (S) from infected group, four tolerant birds (T) without parasites after <italic>T. gallinae</italic> infection, and three birds from uninfected group (N), to understand molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance to this parasite. We identified 29,809 putative lncRNAs and characterized their genomic features subsequently. Differentially expressed (DE) genes, DE-lncRNAs and cis/trans target genes of DE-lncRNAs were further compared among the three groups. The KEGG analysis indicated that specific intergroup DEGs were involved in carbon metabolism (S vs. T), metabolic pathways (N vs. T) and focal adhesion pathway (N vs. S), respectively. Whereas, the cis/trans genes of DE-lncRNAs were enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway and insulin signaling pathway, which play crucial roles in immune system of the host animal. This suggests <italic>T. gallinae</italic> invasion in pigeon mouth may modulate lncRNAs expression and their target genes. Moreover, co-expression analysis identified crucial lncRNA-mRNA interaction networks. Several DE-lncRNAs including MSTRG.82272.3, MSTRG.114849.42, MSTRG.39405.36, MSTRG.3338.5, and MSTRG.105872.2 targeted methylation and immune-related genes, such as JCHAIN, IL18BP, ANGPT1, TMRT10C, SAMD9L, and SOCS3. This implied that DE-lncRNAs exert critical influence on <italic>T. gallinae</italic> infections. The quantitative exploration of host transcriptome changes induced by <italic>T. gallinae</italic> infection broaden both transcriptomic and epigenetic insights into <italic>T. gallinae</italic> resistance and its pathological mechanism.</p>