Altered microRNA expression profiles in serum of Beagle dogs experimentally infected with Toxocara canis

Background: Toxocara canis is a globally distributed roundworm, which can cause debilitating disease in dogs and humans. Serum is an excellent material for monitoring the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. However, there is limited information available on the miRNAs expression in the serum of dogs infected by T. canis.Methods: In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis to identify the miRNA profiles against T. canis infection in the serum of Beagle dogs at different stages.Results: A total of 3, 25 and 25 differently expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified in dog serum at 24 hpi, 10 dpi and 36 dpi, respectively, such as cfa-let-7g, cfa-miR-16, cfa-miR-92b, cfa-miR-93, cfa-miR-122, cfa-miR-485 and cfa-miR-451. These miRNAs could be involved in the regulation of parasitic infectious diseases- and immune system-related pathways by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.Conclusions: Thus, overall results could lay a foundation to understand the underlying immune regulatory role of miRNAs after T. canis infection in definitive hosts.