ABSTRACT: Purpose: RNA-Seq has become a powerful tool for investigating transcriptional profiles in gene expression analysis, which would help to reveal the molecular mechanism of Clostridium perfringens type C infecting the piglets. In this study, we analyzed miRNA profiles of the spleen of piglets caused by Clostridium perfringens type C. Methods: 30 normal 7-day-old piglets (Y x L), without infecting Clostridium perfringens type C, Escherichia coli and Salmonella, were selected as experimental subjects. 25 piglets were randomly selected as the experimental group, which were disposed once a day for 5 days. Each piglet was dosed with 1 ml of bouillon culture-medium inoculated Clostridium perfringens type C at 37℃ for 16h, which approximate to 1 x109 CFU per ml. Then, 5 piglets were randomly selected as the control group (SC), which were taken the equal volume medium for 5 days.Based on total diarrhea scores, 25 piglets were ranked from high to low. The top and last five piglet were considered as sensitive group (SS) and resistant group (SR), respectively. Finally, spleen were collected and sequenced for miRNA. Result: 88 differentially expressed miRNAs were found. KEGG pathway analysis for target genes revealed that these miRNAs were involved in MAPK signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway and ECM-receptor interaction. And 4 miRNAs (miR-133b, miR-532-3p, miR-339-5p and miR-331-3p) of closely related to piglets resistance to C. perfringens type C were obtained. The expression correlation analysis between these miRNAs and target genes revealed that the expression of miR-133b and miR-532-3p had negative correlation with their target NFATC4, miR-339-5p had negative correlation with target HTRA3, and miR-339-5p and miR-331-3p had negative correlation with target TNFAIP8L2 in spleen, suggesting that miR-133b and miR-532-3p targeting to NFATC4, miR-339-5p targeting to HTRA3, and miR-339-5p and miR-331-3p targeting to TNFAIP8L2 were probably involved in piglet resisting C. perfringens type C. Conclusions:The results will provide value resources for better understanding of the genetic basis of C. perfringens type C resistance in piglet and lays a new foundation for identifying novel markers of C. perfringens type C resistance.
