MicroRNAs downregulated following immune activation of rat testis.
Little is known about how infection and the response to inflammation affect the microRNA (miRNA) profile of the male reproductive tract. We hypothesized that expression of inflammatory-related miRNAs would be altered following immune activation of rat testis.



Testis total RNA was purified from Sprague-Dawley rats 3 or 6 hours after receiving a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and examined by qPCR using an 84-panel miRNA array.



Five inflammatory-related miRNAs showed a greater than twofold downregulation (P<.05) in the 3-hour group (rno-let-7f-5p, rno-miR-200c-3p, rno-miR-23a-3p, rno-miR-23b-3p, rno-miR-98-5p) and five from the 6-hour group (rno-miR-17-5p, rno-miR-19a-3p, rno-miR-34a-5p, rno-miR-34c-5p, rno-miR-449a-5p).



Review of the literature has revealed that these miRNAs also play important roles in the maintenance of fertility, formation and elimination of cancer, and development of the male reproductive tract. Further study will lead to a greater understanding of male reproductive immunology and related health issues.
Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA.|Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Mitchell I
MI
Parker
Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA.
Michael A
0000-0002-4687-7612
MA
Palladino
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology*
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D035683:MicroRNAs
gene regulation; immunology; inflammation; miRNAs; testis