Comparison of porcine milk microRNA expression in milk exosomes versus whole swine milk and prediction of target genes

Abstract

Milk exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are important for postnatal growth and immune system maturation in newborn mammals. The functional hypothesis of milk exosomal miRNAs and their potential bioavailability in milk to newborn mammals were investigated. Briefly, 37 exosomal miRNAs were upregulated compared to miRNAs found outside the exosomes. Among these miRNAs, ssc-miR-193a-3p expression was upregulated 1467.35 times, while ssc-miR-423-5p, ssc-miR-551a, ssc-miR-138, ssc-miR-1 and ssc-miR-124a were highly concentrated and upregulated 13.58–30.06 times. Moreover, these miRNAs appeared to be relevant for cell development and basic physiological processes of the immune system. Following the analysis of target gene prediction and related signalling pathways, 9262 target genes were mainly concentrated in three signalling pathways: metabolic pathways, pathways in cancer, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathways. Among 9262 target genes, more than 20 miRNAs were enriched in exosomes, such as methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) and glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1). After determining the miRNA localization-, distribution- and function-related metabolism, we found that these exosomes were specifically concentrated miRNA target genes and they were interrelated with cell development and basic cell functions, such as metabolism and immunity. It is speculated that miRNAs in milk can influence offspring via milk exosomes.