Lack of change in microRNA expression in adult mouse liver following treatment with benzo(a)pyrene despite robust mRNA transcriptional response

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic environmental contaminant. Metabolic activation of BaP is required for it to exert its mutagenic effects. Metabolism occurs via BaP interaction with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) resulting in induction of phase 1 enzymes. Exposure to BaP is expected to cause differential regulation of AHR-responsive genes as well as pathways responding to DNA damage induced by its metabolites. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding molecules that control mRNA levels and protein translation. MiRNA regulation may also be affected by chemical insult. Here we investigate the correlation between hepatic mRNA and miRNA response to BaP in vivo. Mature male mice were orally exposed to 3 daily doses of 150 mg/kg BaP. DNA microarrays were used to profile gene and miRNA expression in the liver 4 and 24 h following the final dose. Despite widespread changes in gene expression (>400 genes) in pathways consistent with the known effects of BaP, we found no changes in miRNA. This was confirmed on two microarray platforms and by qRT-PCR. Analysis of positive controls (2 distinct reference pools) indicated that the Agilent technology could identify differences in miRNA. The effects of sample storage at −80 °C were also compared. We found little effect of prolonged freezing on the technical correlation between samples or on differential expression. Our results are consistent with the lack of response of miRNA in rodent liver to dioxin, another potent AHR-agonist. We conclude that hepatic miRNA in vivo is not directly responsive to BaP exposure.