miR‑4792 regulates inflammatory responses in Cryptococcus neoformans‑infected microglia.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Microbiology

Background:

• Microglial cells are key in cryptococcal meningitis (CM) pathogenesis.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate immune responses during infection, but their role in CM is unclear.
• Previous work profiled miRNAs in THP-1 cells post-Cryptococcus neoformans infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of miR-4792 in the inflammatory response during CM.
• To identify potential diagnostic markers for CM.

Main Methods:

• Assessed miR-4792 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in C. neoformans-infected BV2 cells.
• Overexpressed miR-4792 in infected cells to observe effects on EGFR, MAPK signaling, and cytokine secretion.
• Analyzed miR-4792 and EGFR levels in cerebrospinal fluid from CM patients.
• Performed receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis for diagnostic potential.

Main Results:

• miR-4792 was downregulated, and EGFR was upregulated in C. neoformans-infected BV2 cells.
• miR-4792 overexpression reduced EGFR expression, MAPK signaling, and inflammatory cytokine secretion.
• In CM patients, miR-4792 levels increased, and EGFR levels decreased after antifungal treatment.
• ROC analysis indicated miR-4792 (AUC=0.75) and EGFR (AUC=0.79) as potential diagnostic markers.

Conclusions:

• miR-4792 plays a regulatory role in microglial inflammatory responses to C. neoformans.
• EGFR is a target of miR-4792 and is involved in CM pathogenesis.
• miR-4792 and EGFR show potential as diagnostic biomarkers for cryptococcal meningitis.