Construction and analysis of ceRNA networks in the liver of black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) following Aeromonas salmonicida infection

Abstract Given the dual roles in immune function and metabolism, liver can be selected as an interesting candidate to bridge host defense and metabolic adjustments during pathogen infections in teleost. In order to dissect the roles of liver in the immune response of Sebastes schlegelii , detection of activities of SOD, CAT and GPX4, systematic analysis of circRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression profiles, as well as circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in the liver of S. schlegelii following Aeromonas salmonicida infection were performed in the present study. The present results demonstrated the content of SOD, CAT and GPX4 increased significantly at early infection stage to protect the liver tissue from excessive damage. Meanwhile, 622 circRNA-miRNAs pairs, 78 miRNA-mRNA pairs and 327 circRNA-miRNA-mRNA pairs were identified in our study. These differently expressed circRNA and mRNA were related with LMNB1, DMBT1, NAMPT, IFIT1, CELSRs, PYGL etc. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that differently expressed genes are related with TLR signal pathway, RIG signal pathway, PPAR signal pathway etc. These results revealed an antibacterial ceRNA network in the liver of S. schlegelii post A. hydrophila infection, which provided new clues and insights into the immune mechanisms of teleost.