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Updated: Jul 12, 2025
MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
MicroRNAs in infectious diseases: potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Muneyoshi Kimura1, Sagar Kothari1, Wajiha Gohir1
1Transplant Infectious Diseases, Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved, short, non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and neurological, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases. Several recent studies have suggested that miRNAs are key players in regulating the differentiation, maturation, and activation of immune cells, thereby influencing the host immune response to infection. The resultant upregulation or downregulation of miRNAs from infection influences the protein expression of genes responsible for the immune response and can determine the risk of disease progression. Recently, miRNAs have been explored as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various infectious diseases. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of miRNAs during viral, fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections from a clinical perspective, including critical functional mechanisms and implications for their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and immune responses during infections. This review explores their clinical roles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- miRNAs are implicated in various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
- Emerging evidence highlights miRNAs' critical roles in immune cell development and host defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical significance of miRNAs in infectious diseases.
- To elucidate the functional mechanisms of miRNAs during infection.
- To assess the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on miRNAs in viral, fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
- Analysis of miRNA dysregulation in response to infection.
- Evaluation of clinical implications and therapeutic potential.
Main Results:
- miRNA expression changes significantly during infections, impacting immune responses.
- Dysregulated miRNAs influence protein expression, affecting disease progression and severity.
- miRNAs demonstrate potential as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting infectious diseases.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are crucial regulators of the immune system during infections.
- Targeting miRNAs offers a promising strategy for novel diagnostics and therapeutics against infectious agents.
- Further research is warranted to fully harness the clinical potential of miRNAs in infectious disease management.
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