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Updated: Jul 3, 2025
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Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Published on: August 24, 2015
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Viral MicroRNAs in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Pathobiology
Raza Ali Naqvi1, Araceli Valverde1, Tejabhiram Yadavalli2
1Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|February 13, 2024
Summary
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encodes microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate host-virus interactions. These viral miRNAs are crucial for HSV-1 persistence and may serve as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes widespread infections, establishing latency in neurons.
- Herpesviruses uniquely encode microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs with regulatory functions.
- HSV-1 encodes 18 miRNA precursors, yielding 27 mature miRNAs expressed during lytic and latent stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which HSV-1 encoded miRNAs regulate host-virus interactions.
- To explore the role of viral miRNAs in HSV-1 pathogenesis, immune evasion, and persistence.
- To discuss the potential of viral miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on HSV-1 encoded miRNAs.
- Analysis of sequence-specific targeting of viral and host transcripts by HSV-1 miRNAs.
- Examination of miRNA expression patterns in different cell types and disease stages.
Main Results:
- HSV-1 miRNAs target viral genes, influencing the viral life cycle.
- These miRNAs also regulate host genes involved in antiviral immunity, aiding viral evasion.
- Viral miRNA expression correlates with disease progression and resolution.
Conclusions:
- HSV-1 miRNAs play a significant role in regulating host-virus interactions, facilitating viral persistence.
- The stability and systemic circulation of viral miRNAs suggest their utility as biomarkers.
- Targeting these viral miRNAs offers potential therapeutic strategies against HSV-1 infection.
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