Table_3_Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Potential Mechanisms of Resistance to Trichomoniasis gallinae Infection in Pigeon (Columba livia).XLSX

Trichomoniasis gallinae (T. gallinae) is one of the most pathogenic parasites in pigeon, particularly in squabs. Oral cavity is the main site for the host-parasite interaction. Herein, we used RNA-sequencing technology to characterize lncRNA and mRNA profiles and compared transcriptomic dynamics of squabs, including four susceptible birds (S) from infected group, four tolerant birds (T) without parasites after T. gallinae infection, and three birds from uninfected group (N), to understand molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance to this parasite. We identified 29,809 putative lncRNAs and characterized their genomic features subsequently. Differentially expressed (DE) genes, DE-lncRNAs and cis/trans target genes of DE-lncRNAs were further compared among the three groups. The KEGG analysis indicated that specific intergroup DEGs were involved in carbon metabolism (S vs. T), metabolic pathways (N vs. T) and focal adhesion pathway (N vs. S), respectively. Whereas, the cis/trans genes of DE-lncRNAs were enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway and insulin signaling pathway, which play crucial roles in immune system of the host animal. This suggests T. gallinae invasion in pigeon mouth may modulate lncRNAs expression and their target genes. Moreover, co-expression analysis identified crucial lncRNA-mRNA interaction networks. Several DE-lncRNAs including MSTRG.82272.3, MSTRG.114849.42, MSTRG.39405.36, MSTRG.3338.5, and MSTRG.105872.2 targeted methylation and immune-related genes, such as JCHAIN, IL18BP, ANGPT1, TMRT10C, SAMD9L, and SOCS3. This implied that DE-lncRNAs exert critical influence on T. gallinae infections. The quantitative exploration of host transcriptome changes induced by T. gallinae infection broaden both transcriptomic and epigenetic insights into T. gallinae resistance and its pathological mechanism.

禽支原体（Trichomoniasis gallinae, 简称 T. gallinae）是鸽类中最为致病的寄生虫之一，尤其在雏鸽中尤为显著。口腔是宿主与寄生虫相互作用的主要场所。本研究采用RNA测序技术，对雏鸽的长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）和mRNA表达谱进行表征，并比较了感染组中四只易感鸟（S组）、T. gallinae感染后无寄生虫的四只耐受鸟（T组）以及未感染组的三只鸟（N组）的转录组动态变化，旨在揭示宿主对这种寄生虫的抵抗机制中的分子机制。我们鉴定出29,809个潜在的lncRNA，并随后对其基因组特征进行了描述。进一步比较了三组间的差异表达基因（DEG）、差异表达lncRNA及其顺/反靶基因。KEGG分析显示，特定组间的差异表达基因（S组与T组相比）涉及碳代谢、代谢途径（N组与T组相比）和焦点粘附途径（N组与S组相比）。而差异表达lncRNA的顺/反靶基因富集于细胞因子-细胞因子受体相互作用、Toll样受体信号通路、p53信号通路和胰岛素信号通路，这些通路在宿主动物的免疫系统扮演着至关重要的角色。这表明T. gallinae对鸽口腔的侵袭可能调节lncRNA的表达及其靶基因。此外，共表达分析鉴定了关键的lncRNA-mRNA相互作用网络。包括MSTRG.82272.3、MSTRG.114849.42、MSTRG.39405.36、MSTRG.3338.5和MSTRG.105872.2在内的几个差异表达lncRNA靶向甲基化和免疫相关基因，如JCHAIN、IL18BP、ANGPT1、TMRT10C、SAMD9L和SOCS3。这暗示了差异表达lncRNA对T. gallinae感染具有关键性影响。对由T. gallinae感染引起的宿主转录组变化的定量研究，不仅扩展了对T. gallinae抵抗机制和其病理机制的转录组学认识，同时也深化了表观遗传学的洞察。