Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
MicroRNAs as mediators of viral evasion of the immune system
1Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Center for Virology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. bryan.cullen@duke.edu
Abstract:
Cellular microRNAs serve key roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of almost every cellular gene-regulatory pathway, and it therefore is not surprising that viruses have found ways to subvert this process. Several viruses encode microRNAs that directly downregulate the expression of factors of the innate immune system, including proteins involved in promoting apoptosis and recruiting effector cells of the immune system. Viruses have also evolved the ability to downregulate or upregulate the expression of specific cellular miRNAs to enhance their replication. This Review provides an overview of the present knowledge of the complex interactions of viruses with the microRNA machinery of cells.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...

