miRNAs in the pathogenesis of oncogenic human viruses

Zhen Lin1, Erik K Flemington

  • 1Department of Pathology, SL-79, Tulane Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.

Cancer Letters
|October 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Tumor viruses utilize microRNAs (miRNAs) to manipulate host cells, influencing pathways that promote cancer. This review explores how viral and cellular miRNAs contribute to virus-associated diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor viruses are known to cause malignant diseases.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cellular pathways involved in cancer.
  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is linked to tumor formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of virally-encoded and cellular miRNAs in viral life cycles.
  • To discuss the involvement of miRNAs in virus-associated pathogenesis.
  • To highlight how viruses manipulate miRNA pathways to favor tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on tumor viruses and miRNAs.
  • Analysis of miRNA encoding and expression regulation by viruses.
  • Examination of miRNA-mediated modulation of host cell signaling.

Main Results:

  • Tumor viruses encode their own miRNAs or alter cellular miRNA expression.
  • These viral and cellular miRNA alterations modulate host cell environments.
  • Such modulations often favor viral replication and contribute to cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • Virally-encoded and regulated cellular miRNAs are integral to viral pathogenesis.
  • Understanding these miRNA roles offers insights into virus-associated cancers.
  • Targeting these miRNA pathways may present therapeutic strategies.

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