Giant panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca) It belongs to the Carnivora order, but they eat mostly bamboo and their unique dietary adaptability has always been the focus of their research. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can release nanosized vesicles (40-100 nm) released by various cell types into the extracellular space and deliver to animal organisms via exosomes that exert cross-regulatory effects on gene expression. Chinese scientists collected blood samples from three groups of pandas (boy, adult female, and adult male) to investigate the role of plant-derived miRNAs in dietary adaptation of giant pandas and extracted them from blood for small RNA analysis. Their results show that plant-derived miRNAs enter the bloodstream of giant pandas, exert cross-kingdom regulatory effects, and may play an important role in the dietary adaptation process.

“We have shown that plant-derived miRNAs are present in the blood of giant pandas,” says Dr. Feng Li, a researcher at West Normal University of China.

“Our research has proven that bamboo, which is used as food for giant pandas, affects changes in the feeding habits of giant pandas.”

In this study, the researchers took blood samples from seven giant pandas, including three adult women, three adult men and one boy woman.

In these samples, we found 57 miRNAs that are likely to be derived from bamboo.

“Bamboo miRNAs can enter the body of giant pandas through diet, absorbed by the intestines, enter the blood circulation, and regulate the RNAs of giant pandas as they transfer information and play a role in regulating gene expression in giant pandas,” Dr. Lee said.

These plant-derived miRNAs can regulate a variety of physiological processes, including growth and development, biological rhythms, behavior, and immune responses.

“Bamboo miRNAs are also involved in regulating the smell, taste and dopamine pathways of giant pandas, and all of these are related to feeding habits,” Dr. Lee said.

“When pandas eat more bamboo as they grow, certain miRNAs accumulate, regulating gene expression and aiding in their adaptation to bamboo’s flavor.”

“These miRNAs also affect the sense of the smell of giant pandas, and may allow you to choose the freshest and most nutritious bamboo plants.”

“Therefore, bamboo miRNAs may promote the adaptation of giant pandas from carnivorous to plant-based diets.”

The authors also found that pandas of different ages and genders have different miRNA compositions in their blood.

“Only miRNAs that can play a particular role in regulating gene expression can remain in the body, and those that do not play a role are expelled,” Dr. Lee said.

“For example, some miRNAs regulate reproductive processes and can only be found in the blood of pandas of a particular gender or age.”

“The fact that miRNAs can send signals from plants to animals could open the door to researching the treatment and prevention of diseases in animals.”

“Plant miRNAs also participate in regulating the animal’s immune system, increasing the disease resistance of animals.”

Similarly, studying miRNA-induced changes in plants can also help assess and improve the safety of plant-based foods in animals and humans.

However, more research is needed to draw decisive conclusions about the potential of common miRNAs and their impact on giant pandas.

“The giant pandas are an invaluable national treasure in our country, and blood samples are not easily obtained,” concluded Dr. Lee.

“If possible, we hope to collect blood samples of young pandas who have not yet eaten bamboo for research and perhaps get more surprising results.”

result Published in the journal Veterinary Science Frontier.

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Herrington et al. 2025. Cross-Kingdom Regulation of Gene Expression in Giant Pandas via Plant-derived MiRNAs. front. Veterinarian. SCI 12; doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1509698