Transcriptome analysis and small RNA analysis of poly (I:C)-treated Eptesicus bat cells

This study aims to investigate the gene expression profiles of immune responses in Eptesicus bat cells, Efk3B from E. fuscus and EnK from E. nilsonni. We treated Efk3B and EnK with poly (I:C) to induce immune responses. The total RNA from Efk3B as well as EnK and the total small RNA from Efk3B were extracted for high-throughput sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), transposable elements (TEs, DETs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) were further identified and analyzed. We identified the extraordinary mechanisms of immune responses genes in bat cells, including the uniquely up-regulated genes, induced but unannotated transcripts, and higher basal expression level of immunity-related genes. Moreover, we revealed the differentially expressed TEs (DETs) and novel miRNAs that might be related to the immune responses. In conclusion, this study comprehensively demonstrates the gene expression profiles and provides new insights into the immune responses in Eptesicus bat cell lines.