{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,19]],"date-time":"2026-05-19T02:06:42Z","timestamp":1779156402282,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,11]],"date-time":"2026-04-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1775865600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,19]],"date-time":"2026-05-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1779148800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":38,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Longyuan Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents Project","award":["2024QNTD41"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2024QNTD41"]}]},{"name":"the Youth Science and Technology Fund Program of Gansu Province","award":["23JRRA562"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["23JRRA562"]}]},{"name":"the National Nature Fund","award":["32460890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["32460890"]}]},{"name":"Innovation and Industrialization of New Anti-infective Veterinary Drugs for Livestock and Poultry","award":["25FNNA001"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["25FNNA001"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Parasites Vectors"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:italic>Toxoplasma gondii<\/jats:italic>\n                      , an obligate intracellular parasite with felids as its definitive hosts, undergoes sexual reproduction and oocyst shedding in the feline small intestine, a critical stage for its transmission. Small non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), are crucial post-transcriptional regulators in host\u2013pathogen interactions, but their role in the definitive host\u2019s intestine during\n                      <jats:italic>T. gondii<\/jats:italic>\n                      infection remains unexplored.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Fifteen cats were divided into control, primary infection (6, 10, 14\u00a0days post-infection, DPI), and secondary infection (SI) groups. Infection was confirmed via\n                      <jats:italic>B1<\/jats:italic>\n                      gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Small RNA sequencing was performed on the ileal epithelium. Bioinformatics analyses identified known and novel miRNAs, differential expression, target genes, and enriched pathways. Key miRNA\u2013messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions were validated by dual-luciferase assay, and sequencing results were confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Successful infection was molecularly confirmed. Sequencing identified 2666 miRNAs (2575 known, 91 novel). A dynamic pattern of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs was observed, with peaks at 6 DPI (126), 10 DPI (122),\u00a014DPI (36) and SI DPI (237), coinciding with active oocyst shedding. Key miRNAs like hsa-miR-199b-5p and ssc-miR-199b-5p were persistently downregulated. Target prediction and network analysis revealed complex interactions, including miR-199b-5p targeting\n                      <jats:italic>CYTH1<\/jats:italic>\n                      and\n                      <jats:italic>COQ7<\/jats:italic>\n                      . Functional enrichment highlighted significant involvement of target genes in the Rap1 and AMPK signaling pathways, as well as processes related to development and cellular organization. The novel_538\u2013\n                      <jats:italic>CNN2<\/jats:italic>\n                      interaction was experimentally validated.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      This study provides the first comprehensive profile of miRNA expression in the feline small intestine during\n                      <jats:italic>T. gondii<\/jats:italic>\n                      infection. The temporal dynamics and specific dysregulation of miRNAs, coupled with enrichment in key pathways controlling cell adhesion and metabolism, suggest that\n                      <jats:italic>T. gondii<\/jats:italic>\n                      could orchestrate a sophisticated post-transcriptional program in its definitive host to potentially modify the intestinal environment for successful oocyst production and shedding. These findings lay the groundwork for future functional studies regarding the interplay between\n                      <jats:italic>T. gondii<\/jats:italic>\n                      and its definitive hosts.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Graphical Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,11]],"date-time":"2026-04-11T14:36:19Z","timestamp":1775918179000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Dynamic landscape of microRNA expression in the feline small intestine during Toxoplasma gondii infection"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Bintao","family":"Zhai","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bibo","family":"Bao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Shi-chen","family":"Xie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Hui","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yang","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Weiwei","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yaxin","family":"Zhou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bing","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Junjun","family":"He","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jiyu","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"7356_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vetpar.2020.109145","volume":"283","author":"JP Dubey","year":"2020","unstructured":"Dubey JP, Cerqueira-Cezar CK, Murata FHA, Kwok OCH, Yang YR, Su C. All about toxoplasmosis in cats: the last decade. Vet Parasitol. 2020;283:109145. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.vetpar.2020.109145.","journal-title":"Vet Parasitol"},{"key":"7356_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-020-04528-x","volume":"14","author":"WH Tong","year":"2021","unstructured":"Tong WH, Pavey C, O Handley R, Vyas A. Behavioral biology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasit Vectors. 2021;14:77. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13071-020-04528-x.","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"key":"7356_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.celrep.2025.116451","volume":"44","author":"S Cancela","year":"2025","unstructured":"Cancela S, Sena F, Pagotto R, Crispo M, Francia ME, Bollati-Fogolin M. Enhancing pre-sexual and sexual differentiation of Toxoplasma gondii using retinal epithelial cells and intestinal organoids. Cell Rep. 2025;44:116451. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.celrep.2025.116451.","journal-title":"Cell Rep"},{"key":"7356_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.preteyeres.2020.100882","volume":"81","author":"JR Smith","year":"2021","unstructured":"Smith JR, Ashander LM, Arruda SL, Cordeiro CA, Lie S, Rochet E, et al. Pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2021;81:100882. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.preteyeres.2020.100882.","journal-title":"Prog Retin Eye Res"},{"key":"7356_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"595","DOI":"10.1042\/BST20190854","volume":"48","author":"MA McCool","year":"2020","unstructured":"McCool MA, Bryant CJ, Baserga SJ. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs as novel regulators of ribosome biogenesis. Biochem Soc Trans. 2020;48:595\u2013612. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1042\/BST20190854.","journal-title":"Biochem Soc Trans"},{"key":"7356_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12864-025-12049-z","volume":"26","author":"Y Chen","year":"2025","unstructured":"Chen Y, Gao HJ, Li C, Mo XJ, Zheng GR, Xie J, et al. MicroRNA expression dynamics in mouse liver at different stages of Echinococcus multilocularis infection. BMC Genomics. 2025;26:941. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12864-025-12049-z.","journal-title":"BMC Genomics"},{"key":"7356_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/pathogens14101068","volume":"14","author":"T Liu","year":"2025","unstructured":"Liu T, Qian J, Yan Y, Zeng X, Yang Z. Genome-wide identification of novel miRNAs and infection-related proteins in Leishmania major via comparative analysis of the protozoa, vectors, and mammalian hosts. Pathogens. 2025;14:1068. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/pathogens14101068.","journal-title":"Pathogens"},{"key":"7356_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1111\/tmi.70058","volume":"31","author":"S Orsten","year":"2026","unstructured":"\u00d6rsten S, Baysal \u0130, Sar\u0131kaya M, Yagmur E, Bozkurt O, \u00dcnal E, et al. Exploring the diagnostic potential of parasite-derived miRNAs in cystic echinococcosis: are we getting closer? Trop Med Int Health. 2026;31:190\u20137. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/tmi.70058.","journal-title":"Trop Med Int Health"},{"key":"7356_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25599","DOI":"10.18632\/oncotarget.16108","volume":"8","author":"W Cong","year":"2017","unstructured":"Cong W, Zhang X, He J, Li F, Elsheikha HM, Zhu X. Global miRNA expression profiling of domestic cat livers following acute Toxoplasma gondii infection. Oncotarget. 2017;8:25599\u2013611. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18632\/oncotarget.16108.","journal-title":"Oncotarget"},{"key":"7356_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-018-3179-8","volume":"11","author":"M Wang","year":"2018","unstructured":"Wang M, Zhang F, Elsheikha HM, Zhang N, He J, Luo J, et al. Transcriptomic insights into the early host-pathogen interaction of cat intestine with Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vector. 2018;11:592. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13071-018-3179-8.","journal-title":"Parasit Vector"},{"key":"7356_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1186\/s12864-020-6464-9","volume":"21","author":"C Zhou","year":"2020","unstructured":"Zhou C, Ai K, Huang C, Guo J, Cong H, He S, et al. MiRNA and circRNA expression patterns in mouse brain during toxoplasmosis development. BMC Genomics. 2020;21:12\u201346. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12864-020-6464-9.","journal-title":"BMC Genomics"},{"key":"7356_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-023-01121-z","volume":"12","author":"B Zhai","year":"2023","unstructured":"Zhai B, Xie S, Zhang J, He J, Zhu X. Dynamic RNA profiles in the small intestinal epithelia of cats after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Infect Dis Poverty. 2023;12:68. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40249-023-01121-z.","journal-title":"Infect Dis Poverty"},{"key":"7356_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13223537","author":"B Zhai","year":"2023","unstructured":"Zhai B, Meng Y, Xie S, Peng J, Liu Y, Qiu Y, et al. ITRAQ-based phosphoproteomic analysis exposes molecular changes in the small intestinal epithelia of cats after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Animals. 2023. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani13223537.","journal-title":"Animals"},{"key":"7356_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10785","DOI":"10.1111\/jcmm.15703","volume":"24","author":"J Chen","year":"2020","unstructured":"Chen J, Wang J, Gao X, Zhu D, Chen L, Duan Y. Toxoplasma gondii excreted-secreted antigens suppress foxp3 promoter activity via a sp1-dependent mechanism. J Cell Mol Med. 2020;24:10785\u201391. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jcmm.15703.","journal-title":"J Cell Mol Med"},{"key":"7356_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"186","DOI":"10.1186\/1756-3305-5-186","volume":"5","author":"J Wang","year":"2012","unstructured":"Wang J, Liu X, Jia B, Lu H, Peng S, Piao X, et al. Comparative study of small RNAs in Toxoplasma gondii of distinct genotypes. Parasit Vector. 2012;5:186. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1756-3305-5-186.","journal-title":"Parasit Vector"},{"key":"7356_CR16","volume-title":"Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in animals clinically and verification of the relationship between miR-206 and its target gene in host infected with Sus crofa strains","author":"H Zhang","year":"2023","unstructured":"Zhang H. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in animals clinically and verification of the relationship between miR-206 and its target gene in host infected with Sus crofa strains. Yangzhou: Yangzhou University; 2023. (In Chinese)"},{"key":"7356_CR17","unstructured":"Hou Z, Liu D, Xu J, Tao J. The impact of Toxoplasma gondii Type I infection on the microrna expression profile in porcine brain tissue[C]. Abstracts of the Fifth National Symposium on Zoonoses. 2017;217:79. (In Chinese)"},{"key":"7356_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-022-05620-0","volume":"15","author":"S Xie","year":"2022","unstructured":"Xie S, Zhou C, Zhai B, Zheng W, Liu G, Zhu X. A combined miRNA-piRNA signature in the serum and urine of rabbits infected with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Parasit Vectors. 2022;15:490. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13071-022-05620-0.","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"key":"7356_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2016.05.018","volume":"215","author":"W Chemoh","year":"2016","unstructured":"Chemoh W, Sawangjaroen N, Nissapatorn V, Sermwittayawong N. Molecular investigation on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in cat feces using TOX-element and its-1 region targets. Vet J. 2016;215:118\u201322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.tvjl.2016.05.018.","journal-title":"Vet J"},{"key":"7356_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"634","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1469-0691.2002.00485.x","volume":"8","author":"D Hill","year":"2002","unstructured":"Hill D, Dubey JP. Toxoplasma gondii: transmission, diagnosis and prevention. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2002;8:634\u201340. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1046\/j.1469-0691.2002.00485.x.","journal-title":"Clin Microbiol Infect"},{"key":"7356_CR21","volume-title":"Study on transcriptome, small RNAome and metagenome of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii of PRU strain","author":"X Wei","year":"2022","unstructured":"Wei X. Study on transcriptome, small RNAome and metagenome of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii of PRU strain. Daqing: Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University; 2022. (In Chinese)"},{"key":"7356_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.omtn.2024.102363","volume":"35","author":"S Kim","year":"2024","unstructured":"Kim S, Park S, Kim Y, Hyun J, Choi J. MiRNA-199B-5P suppresses of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting apical-basolateral polarity via Scribble\/Lgl. Mol Ther-Nucl Acids. 2024;35:102363. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.omtn.2024.102363.","journal-title":"Mol Ther-Nucl Acids"},{"key":"7356_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12931-024-02919-7","volume":"25","author":"IR Konigsberg","year":"2024","unstructured":"Konigsberg I, Lin N, Liao S, Liu C, MacPhail K, Mroz M, et al. Multi-omic signatures of sarcoidosis and progression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells. Respir Res. 2024;25:289. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12931-024-02919-7.","journal-title":"Respir Res"},{"key":"7356_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ph16101414","volume":"16","author":"M Botor","year":"2023","unstructured":"Botor M, Augu\u015bciak-Duma A, Lesiak M, Siero\u0144 \u0141, Dziedzic-Kowalska A, Witecka J, et al. Analysis of miRNAs in osteogenesis imperfecta caused by mutations in COL1a1 and COL1a2: insights into molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Pharm-Base. 2023;16:1414. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ph16101414.","journal-title":"Pharm-Base"},{"key":"7356_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2024.1376416","volume":"15","author":"R Nizam","year":"2024","unstructured":"Nizam R, Malik MZ, Jacob S, Alsmadi O, Koistinen HA, Tuomilehto J, et al. Circulating hsa-mir-320a and its regulatory network in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1376416. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2024.1376416.","journal-title":"Front Immunol"},{"key":"7356_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1742","DOI":"10.1021\/acsinfecdis.3c00211","volume":"9","author":"A Li","year":"2023","unstructured":"Li A, Bao J, Gao S, He Y, Nie X, Hosyanto FF, et al. MicroRNA hsa-mir-320a-3p and its targeted mRNA fkbp5 were differentially expressed in patients with HIV\/TB co-infection. ACS Infect Dis. 2023;9:1742\u201353. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsinfecdis.3c00211.","journal-title":"ACS Infect Dis"},{"key":"7356_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fcimb.2021.643001","volume":"11","author":"H Sun","year":"2021","unstructured":"Sun H, Li J, Wang L, Yin K, Xu C, Liu G, et al. Comparative proteomics analysis for elucidating the interaction between host cells and Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:643001. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fcimb.2021.643001.","journal-title":"Front Cell Infect Microbiol"},{"key":"7356_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1128\/spectrum.02044-24","volume":"13","author":"C Li","year":"2025","unstructured":"Li C, Zhao Y, Li Q, Chen R, Feng Y, Sang X, et al. The TgAMPK-TgPFKII axis essentially regulates protein lactylation in the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Microbiol Spectr. 2025;13:e0204424. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128\/spectrum.02044-24.","journal-title":"Microbiol Spectr"}],"container-title":["Parasites &amp; Vectors"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,19]],"date-time":"2026-05-19T01:18:51Z","timestamp":1779153531000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,11]]},"references-count":28,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["7356"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13071-026-07356-7","relation":{},"ISSN":["1756-3305"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1756-3305","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,11]]},"assertion":[{"value":"25 December 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"2 March 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"11 April 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The animal experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute (LVRI), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) (Protocol Permit Number: LVRIAEC-2018-006). Throughout the study, all procedures were conducted in strict compliance with the approved protocol to minimize animal suffering. The number of animals used was the minimum necessary to achieve statistically valid results, as determined by power analysis and in line with the 3R (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) principles for animal research.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"220"}}