NGS Analysis of human mRNAs in mouse cells following a 12-hr 2D-coculture

Background: We have previously known that mRNAs can transfer in mammalian cells via membrane nanotubes. However, genome-wide study of mRNA was lacking Objective: In this study, we wanted to characterize the range of human mRNAs that undergo transfer to neighbouring mouse cells when co-cultured together for 12 hours Results: We found that a large part of human mRNAs can traffic to adjoining mouse cells, the number of mRNAs transferred is dependent on gene expression. We also also detected significant differential gene regulation in mouse cells in response to co-culture with human cells Conclusion: In addition to sequencing analysis, we have used molecular biological and imaging techniques to demonstate expression-dependent mRNA transfer from mouse to human cells. Overall design: human mRNAs from purified mouse cells are detected after 12-hour of in-vitro co-culture. For control, human and mouse cells were mixed and immediately sorted using antigen-based magnetic sorting (Human cells: MCF7; Mouse cells: MEF). In addition, differential gene expression of mouse RNAs in MEF is also analyzed.