Inflammation-related microRNA expression level in the bovine milk is affected by mastitis

PLoS One. 2017 May 17;12(5):e0177182. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177182. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) in tissue and liquid samples have been shown to be associated with many diseases including inflammation. We aimed to identify inflammation-related miRNA expression level in the bovine mastitis milk. Expression level of inflammation-related miRNA in milk from mastitis-affected and normal cows was analyzed using qPCR. We found that expression level of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-222, and miR-383 was significantly upregulated in California mastitis test positive (CMT+) milk. We further analyzed these miRNA using a chip-based QuantStudio Digital PCR System. The digital PCR results correlated with those of qPCR, demonstrating upregulation of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-222, and miR-383 in CMT+ milk. In conclusion, we identified miRNA that are upregulated in CMT+ milk. These miRNA exhibited sensitivity and specificity greater than 80% for differentiating between CMT+ milk and normal milk. Our findings suggest that inflammation-related miRNA expression level in the bovine milk was affected by mastitis, and miRNA in milk have potential for use as biomarkers of bovine mastitis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Cattle
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression*
  • Mastitis, Bovine / diagnosis
  • Mastitis, Bovine / genetics*
  • Mastitis, Bovine / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Milk*
  • ROC Curve
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Project of the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution, NARO (the special scheme project on advanced research and development for next-generation technology) to CK and NM, and by the the JSPS KAKENHI-25660243 to NM, and by the the Morinaga Houshikai Research Grant to NM.