Characterization of circular RNA expression profiles in the age-related thymic involution of Magang goose

Ying Li; Bingxin Li; Fenfen Liu; Lin Yang; Qingru Wu; Yingying Wu; Yongjiang Ma; Danning Xu; Yugu Li

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2022.104581

Characterization of circular RNA expression profiles in the age-related thymic involution of Magang goose

Dev Comp Immunol. 2023 Feb:139:104581. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104581. Epub 2022 Oct 22.

Authors

Ying Li¹, Bingxin Li², Fenfen Liu¹, Lin Yang¹, Qingru Wu¹, Yingying Wu¹, Yongjiang Ma¹, Danning Xu³, Yugu Li⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
² College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
³ Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China. Electronic address: xdanning212@126.com.
⁴ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: yuguli99@163.com.

PMID: 36283574
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104581

Abstract

The thymus is a vital immune organ, but its function gradually declines with age. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are related to the development of tissues and organs. In this study, bioinformatics analysis showed that 1329, 755, and 417 circRNAs were differentially expressed between the comparison groups of 6-month age (M6) and 20-embryo age (E20), 3-day post-hatch (P3), and 3-month age (M3) Magang geese, respectively. Among them, 167 circRNAs were differentially co-expressed between thymic development (E20, P3, and M3) and involution (M6). Functional analysis showed significant enrichment of phosphorylation and positive regulation of GTPase activity. Furthermore, pathway analysis has shown that glycerolipid metabolism and the Wnt signaling pathway are critical pathways in the thymic involution process. Finally, we constructed the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. The results of this study suggest that circRNAs may be involved in the age-related thymic involution of the Magang goose.

Keywords: Magang goose; Thymic involution; ceRNA; circRNAs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Computational Biology
Geese* / genetics
RNA, Circular* / genetics

Substances

RNA, Circular