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Comparative Expression Profile Analysis of Apoptosis-Related miRNA and Its Target Gene in Leishmania major Infected

Zohreh Lasjerdi1,2, Hossein Ghanbarian3,4, Samira Mohammadi Yeganeh3,4

  • 1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Parasitology
|October 21, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Leishmania major infection upregulates miR-24-3p, an anti-apoptotic microRNA, in macrophages. This finding offers new insights into host cell gene expression and potential therapeutic strategies for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected infectious disease with global impact, including Iran.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • Macrophages play a central role in the immune response to Leishmania infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression profile of apoptosis-related microRNA (miRNA) and its target gene in macrophages during Leishmania infection.
  • To identify specific miRNAs involved in the host cell's response to Leishmania major.
  • To explore the role of miRNA-24-3p in regulating macrophage apoptosis during infection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and bioinformatics analysis to identify relevant miRNAs.
  • Microarray expression analysis to compare miRNA and target gene profiles in infected versus non-infected macrophages.
  • Quantitative Real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) to validate expression levels of miRNA-24-3p and its target genes (Caspases 3 and 7) in Leishmania major-infected and control macrophages.

Main Results:

  • Bioinformatics analysis identified miRNA-24-3p as an anti-apoptotic miRNA targeting pro-apoptotic genes (Caspases 3 and 7).
  • Microarray data revealed significant differences in the expression levels of miRNA-24-3p and its target genes between infected and non-infected macrophages.
  • QRT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of miRNA-24-3p in Leishmania major-infected macrophages, consistent with bioinformatics and microarray findings.

Conclusions:

  • Leishmania parasites can manipulate host cell miRNA expression to facilitate infection and survival.
  • Altered miRNA levels, specifically miR-24-3p, are implicated in regulating macrophage function during Leishmania major infection.
  • These findings enhance understanding of macrophage gene expression in leishmaniasis and may inform novel control and treatment strategies for CL.
Keywords:
ApoptosisIn vitroLeishmania majorMacrophageMicroRNAs

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