Early-life stress induces genome-wide sex-dependent miRNA expression and correlation across limbic brain areas in rats.

ABSTRACT: Aims: The aim of this study was to assess regional- and sex-dependent changes in miRNA expression resulting from early-life stress (ELS). Materials and methods: Small RNA sequencing was used to determine sex-dependent changes in miRNAs after maternal separation, a rodent model of ELS, across the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. Results: Maternal separation induced anhedonia and altered miRNA expression in a sex-dependent manner, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Gene ontology revealed that these miRNAs target genes with brain-specific biological functions. Conclusion: Using a network approach to explore miRNA signaling across the brain after ELS, regional differences were highlighted as key to studying the brain's stress response

SUBMITTER: McKibben LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8244583 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature