Role of MEG3-miRNAs in immune-inflammatory regulation in age-dependent wool follicle remodeling in Tan sheep

February 2026 in “ BMC Genomics ”

Letian Zhang, Jiajie Yao, Zhengwei Zhao, Lina Ma, Qing Ma, Jiankui Wang, Xuemei Deng

TLDR MEG3-miRNAs help control wool traits in young Tan sheep by regulating immune responses, but their decline with age leads to wool changes.

The study explores the age-dependent crimped wool trait in Tan sheep, which is prominent at 35 days and vanishes in adulthood. It identifies MEG3-miRNAs as key epigenetic regulators in wool follicle remodeling, particularly active at embryonic day 120. These miRNAs target genes enriched in immune-inflammatory pathways, regulating immune responses to support primary follicle development. As sheep age, the decline in these miRNAs results in immune overactivation and primary follicle degeneration, leading to the loss of the crimped trait. The research provides insights into Tan sheep breeding and serves as a model for studying age-related hair disorders in humans.

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