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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:06
MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
Viruses, microRNAs and cancer.
1IBMP-CNRS, rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg, France. sebastien.pfeffer@ibmp-ulp.u-strasbg.fr
Oncogene
|October 10, 2006
Summary
Many viruses cause cancer by evading cell death and immune responses. Viruses utilize microRNAs (miRNAs) to manipulate host cells, impacting cancer development and viral infection dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Viruses are significant contributors to human cancers, with up to 15% linked to viral infections.
- Viruses employ strategies to evade apoptosis and host immune responses.
- Epstein-Barr virus and other herpesviruses encode their own microRNAs (miRNAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on viral miRNAs.
- To discuss how mammalian viruses perturb host miRNA expression.
- To provide insights into the role of viruses and miRNAs in cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of viral miRNAs and their roles in host cells.
- Analysis of viral strategies to manipulate RNA silencing pathways.
- Discussion of viral miRNA interactions with host transcripts.
Main Results:
- Mammalian viruses can hijack the host RNA silencing machinery.
- Viral-encoded miRNAs can regulate viral genome expression (cis) and host gene expression (trans).
- Viruses can alter host miRNA expression, contributing to cancer development.
Conclusions:
- Viral miRNAs represent a complex layer in host-virus interactions.
- Understanding viral miRNA mechanisms is crucial for insights into virus-associated cancers.
- Viruses actively manipulate host RNA silencing pathways for their own benefit.
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