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Bębnowska D, Rzeszotek S, Kolasa A, Wiśniewska K, Żabińska M, Szulc A, Cyske Z, Pierzynowska K, Wilk A, Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej P. Evaluation of autophagic and apoptotic markers during infection with animal virus causing hemorrhagic fever in rabbits. Front Microbiol 2025; 15:1517725. [PMID: 39845048 PMCID: PMC11750823 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1517725] [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: 11/08/2024] [Accepted: 12/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2025] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1 and GI.2 cause severe Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, and immune processes are among the important pathomechanisms of the disease. Autophagy and apoptosis are two key mechanisms involved in the host antiviral response. Both of these processes have been characterized in infection with GI.1 strains, while data on infection with GI.2 strains still need to be studied. This is particularly important because infection with different strains is associated with a different host immune response profile. Methods In this work, we analyzed the expression of selected genes and proteins involved in autophagic flux in the liver, spleen, kidney and peripheral blood, but also apoptotic cell death in the liver and peripheral blood of rabbits infected with the GI.2 strain. Results As a result, we showed that autophagy is strongly activated in the liver, spleen and kidney of infected rabbits, and confirmed the activation of apoptosis in the liver. Discussion This study highlights the role of apoptosis and autophagy in the immune response in rabbits infected with Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Bębnowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Disease and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sylwia Rzeszotek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kolasa
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Karolina Wiśniewska
- Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Disease and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Żabińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aneta Szulc
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Cyske
- Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Disease and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Disease and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wilk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Disease and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Ostrycharz-Jasek E, Fitzner A, Siennicka A, Budkowska M, Hukowska-Szematowicz B. MicroRNAs Regulate the Expression of Genes Related to the Innate Immune and Inflammatory Response in Rabbits Infected with Lagovirus europaeus GI.1 and GI.2 Genotypes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9531. [PMID: 39273479 PMCID: PMC11394960 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miR) are a group of small, non-coding RNAs of 17-25 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of miRNA expression or function may contribute to abnormal gene expression and signaling pathways, leading to disease pathology. Lagovirus europaeus (L. europaeus) causes severe disease in rabbits called rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). The symptoms of liver, lung, kidney, and spleen degeneration observed during RHD are similar to those of acute liver failure (ALF) and multi-organ failure (MOF) in humans. In this study, we assessed the expression of miRs and their target genes involved in the innate immune and inflammatory response. Also, we assessed their potential impact on pathways in L. europaeus infection-two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2)-in the liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen. The expression of miRs and target genes was determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). We assessed the expression of miR-155 (MyD88, TAB2, p65, NLRP3), miR-146a (IRAK1, TRAF6), miR-223 (TLR4, IKKα, NLRP3), and miR-125b (MyD88). We also examined biomarkers of inflammation: IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-18 in four tissues at the mRNA level. Our study shows that the main regulators of the innate immune and inflammatory response in L. europaeus/GI.1 and GI.2 infection, as well as RHD, are miR-155, miR-223, and miR-146a. During infection with L. europaeus/RHD, miR-155 has both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in the liver and anti-inflammatory effects in the kidneys and spleen; miR-146a has anti-inflammatory effects in the liver, lungs and kidneys; miR-223 has anti-inflammatory effects in all tissues; however, miR-125b has anti-inflammatory effects only in the liver. In each case, such an effect may be a determinant of the pathogenesis of RHD. Our research shows that miRs may regulate three innate immune and inflammatory response pathways in L. europaeus infection. However, the result of this regulation may be influenced by the tissue microenvironment. Our research shows that infection of rabbits with L. europaeus/GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes causes an overexpression of two critical acute phase cytokines: IL-6 in all examined tissues and TNF-α (in the liver, lungs, and spleen). IL-1β was highly expressed only in the lungs after L. europaeus infection. These facts indicate a strong and rapid involvement of the local innate immune and inflammatory response in L. europaeus infection-two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2)-and in the pathogenesis of RHD. Profile of biomarkers of inflammation in rabbits infected with L. europaeus/GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes are similar regarding the nature of changes but are different for individual tissues. Therefore, we propose three inflammation profiles for L. europaeus infection for both GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes (pulmonary, renal, liver, and spleen).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Ostrycharz-Jasek
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, St. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Doctoral School, University of Szczecin, St. A. Mickiewicz 16, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, St. Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Fitzner
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute-State Research Institute, St. Wodna 7, 98-220 Zduńska Wola, Poland
- National Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), St. Wodna 7, 98-220 Zduńska Wola, Poland
| | - Aldona Siennicka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Pomeraniam Medical University, St. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Marta Budkowska
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Pomeraniam Medical University, St. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Beata Hukowska-Szematowicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, St. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, St. Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
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Ostrycharz E, Fitzner A, Kęsy A, Siennicka A, Hukowska-Szematowicz B. MicroRNAs participate in the regulation of apoptosis and oxidative stress-related gene expression in rabbits infected with Lagovirus europaeus GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1349535. [PMID: 38516020 PMCID: PMC10955125 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1349535] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are a group of small, 17-25 nucleotide, non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. To date, little is known about the molecular signatures of regulatory interactions between miRs and apoptosis and oxidative stress in viral diseases. Lagovirus europaeus is a virus that causes severe disease in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) called Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) and belongs to the Caliciviridae family, Lagovirus genus. Within Lagovirus europaeus associated with RHD, two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2) have been distinguished, and the GI.1 genotype includes four variants (GI.1a, GI.1b, GI.1c, and GI.1d). The study aimed to assess the expression of miRs and their target genes involved in apoptosis and oxidative stress, as well as their potential impact on the pathways during Lagovirus europaeus-two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2) infection of different virulences in four tissues (liver, lung, kidneys, and spleen). The expression of miRs and target genes related to apoptosis and oxidative stress was determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). In this study, we evaluated the expression of miR-21 (PTEN, PDCD4), miR-16b (Bcl-2, CXCL10), miR-34a (p53, SIRT1), and miRs-related to oxidative stress-miR-122 (Bach1) and miR-132 (Nfr-2). We also examined the biomarkers of both processes (Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Caspase-3, PARP) and HO-I as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Our report is the first to present the regulatory effects of miRs on apoptosis and oxidative stress genes in rabbit infection with Lagovirus europaeus-two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2) in four tissues (liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen). The regulatory effect of miRs indicates that, on the one hand, miRs can intensify apoptosis (miR-16b, miR-34a) in the examined organs in response to a viral stimulus and, on the other hand, inhibit (miR-21), which in both cases may be a determinant of the pathogenesis of RHD and tissue damage. Biomarkers of the Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio promote more intense apoptosis after infection with the Lagovirus europaeus GI.2 genotype. Our findings demonstrate that miR-122 and miR-132 regulate oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of RHD, which is associated with tissue damage. The HO-1 biomarker in the course of rabbit hemorrhagic disease indicates oxidative tissue damage. Our findings show that miR-21, miR-16b, and miR-34a regulate three apoptosis pathways. Meanwhile, miR-122 and miR-132 are involved in two oxidative stress pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Ostrycharz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Doctoral School, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Fitzner
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute-State Research Institute, Zduńska Wola, Poland
- National Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), Zduńska Wola, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kęsy
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute-State Research Institute, Zduńska Wola, Poland
- National Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), Zduńska Wola, Poland
| | - Aldona Siennicka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Beata Hukowska-Szematowicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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