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Roles and mechanisms of exosomal microRNAs in viral infections

Lingxiang Mao1, Yiwen Chen2,3, Jiaqi Gu4

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China. maolingxiang@aliyun.com.

Archives of Virology
|March 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Exosomes carrying microRNAs (miRNAs) play a dual role in viral infections, either promoting or suppressing them. This review explores exosomal miRNAs in six major viral infections and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication.
  • Exosomes can transfer various molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), between cells.
  • Virus-infected cells release exosomes containing viral and host-derived miRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of exosomal miRNAs in infections caused by six significant viruses.
  • To elucidate how these exosomal miRNAs modulate recipient cell functions.
  • To discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of exosomal miRNAs in viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on exosomal miRNAs in viral infections.
  • Analysis of miRNA content in exosomes derived from virus-infected cells.
  • Examination of the impact of exosomal miRNAs on recipient cell behavior.

Main Results:

  • Exosomal miRNAs exhibit dual roles, promoting or suppressing viral infections.
  • Specific exosomal miRNAs are implicated in hepatitis C virus, enterovirus A71, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Zika virus infections.
  • These miRNAs alter recipient cell functions, influencing viral pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomal miRNAs are critical mediators in viral infections.
  • Understanding exosomal miRNA profiles offers insights into viral disease mechanisms.
  • Exosomal miRNAs hold promise as biomarkers for viral infection diagnosis and targets for novel therapies.

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