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Circulating microRNAs in malaria infection: bench to bedside
Supat Chamnanchanunt1, Suthat Fucharoen2, Tsukuru Umemura3,4
1Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Supat.cha@mahidol.edu.
Malaria Journal
|August 16, 2017
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as early biomarkers for severe malaria, a disease with high morbidity. Research indicates specific miRNAs are altered in malaria patients, aiding in predicting disease severity and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe malaria presents a significant health challenge in tropical regions with high morbidity rates.
- Early detection and prediction of severe malaria are crucial due to limited specific treatment options.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as significant biomarkers in various diseases, including cardiovascular and malignant conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on microRNAs (miRNAs) in relation to the clinical severity of malaria.
- To highlight the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for severe malaria infection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating microRNA expression in malaria patients.
- Analysis of reported miRNA alterations (downregulation or deregulation) associated with malaria parasitic stages and multi-organ failure.
- Correlation of specific miRNA changes with clinical severity indicators in malaria.
Main Results:
- Plasma miR-451 and miR-16 were found to be downregulated in malaria infection, particularly with parasitic stages or multi-organ failure.
- Several other miRNAs, including miR-125b, -27a, -23a, -150, 17-92, and -24, were observed to be deregulated in malaria patients experiencing multiple organ failures.
- These miRNA alterations correlate with the clinical severity of malaria infection.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs represent promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prediction of severe malaria.
- Further research into miRNA profiling could lead to improved clinical management strategies for severe malaria.
- miRNAs offer a potential avenue for identifying patients at high risk of developing severe malaria and multi-organ failure.
