Abstract
BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of lncRNAs and mRNAs in mediating the liver response during Toxocara canis infection remains incompletely understood. METHODS: In the present study, the expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs was investigated in the liver of Beagle dogs infected by T. canis using high-throughput RNA sequencing. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, 876 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 288 DEmRNAs were identified at 12 h post-infection (hpi), 906 DElncRNAs and 261 DEmRNAs were identified at 24 hpi, and 876 DElncRNAs and 302 DEmRNAs were identified at 36 days post-infection (dpi). A total of 16 DEmRNAs (e.g. dpp4, crp and gnas) were commonly identified at the three infection stages. Enrichment and co-localization analyses identified several pathways involved in immune and inflammatory responses during T. canis infection. Some novel DElncRNAs, such as LNC_015756, LNC_011050 and LNC_011052, were also associated with immune and inflammatory responses. Also, LNC_005105 and LNC_005401 were associated with the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which may play a role in the healing of liver pathology at the late stage of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provided new insight into the regulatory roles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the pathogenesis of T. canis and improved our understanding of the contribution of lncRNAs and mRNAs to the immune and inflammatory response of the liver during T. canis infection.