Integrative role of small non-coding RNAs in viral immune response: a systematic review

Various viruses cause viral infection, and these viruses have different microscopic sizes, genetic material, and morphological forms. Due to a viral infection, the host body induces defense mechanisms that activate the innate and adaptive immune system. sncRNAs are involved in various biological processes and play an essential role in antiviral response in viruses including ZIKV, HCV, DENV, SARS-CoV, and West Nile virus, and regulate the complex interactions between the viruses and host cells. This review discusses the role of miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, and tiRNAs in antiviral response. Cellular miRNAs bind with virus mRNA and perform their antiviral response in multiple viruses. However, the chemical modifications of miRNA necessary to avoid nuclease attack, which is then involved with intracellular processing, have proven challenging for therapeutic replacement of miRNAs. siRNAs have significant antiviral responses by targeting any gene of interest along the correct nucleotide of targeting mRNA. Due to this ability, siRNAs have valuable characteristics in antiviral response for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, the researchers noted the involvement of piRNAs and tiRNAs in the antiviral response, yet their findings were deemed insignificant.