Deep sequencing profiles MicroRNAs related to Aspergillus fumigatus infection in lung tissues of mice

Abstract Background Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe opportunistic infection with high mortality in patients with compromised immunity. The full repertoire of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the regulation of IPA infection remains to be established. Methods We established a mouse IPA model and analyzed small RNA transcriptomes in lung tissues of immunodeficient IPA mice (IPA group) and matched immunodeficient control mice (control group) through next-generation sequencing. Results A total of 3,759 known miRNAs were detected, in which 23 miRNAs were identified to be related to IPA. IPA-associated miRNAs include upregulated mmu-let-7b-3p, mmu-miR124-3p, mmu-miR21a-3p, mmu-miR29c-5p, mmu-miR3473b and mmu-miR3473e, and downregulated mmu-miR-150-3p and mmu-miR-503-5p. The expression levels of eight identified miRNAs were quantified in a validation cohort ( n =40) by qRT-PCR, and results revealed the same change patterns. MiRNA target prediction revealed that all IPA-related miRNAs possibly engage a cooperative regulation of key elements in the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Conclusion: We conclude that deep-sequencing small RNAs can uncover miRNA pool-regulating IPA. Our results may lead to further understanding IPA pathogenesis and gain insight into the complexity and diversity of small RNA molecules that regulate immunodeficient IPA.