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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
The critical role of miRNA in bacterial zoonosis
Si Chen1, Zhixin Lei1, Taolei Sun1
1School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan 430070, China.
Abstract:
The public's health and the financial sustainability of international societies remain threatened by bacterial zoonoses, with limited reliable diagnostic and therapeutic options available for bacterial diseases. Bacterial infections influence mammalian miRNA expression in host-pathogen interactions. In order to counteract bacterial infections, miRNAs participate in gene-specific expression and play important regulatory roles that rely on translational inhibition and target gene degradation by binding to the 3' non-coding region of target genes. Intriguingly, according to current studies, that exogenous miRNAs derived from plants could potentially serve as effective medicinal components sourced from traditional Chinese medicine plants. These exogenous miRNAs exhibit stable functionality in mammals and mimic the regulatory roles of endogenous miRNAs, illuminating the molecular processes behind the therapeutic effects of plants. This review details the immune defense mechanisms of inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle disturbance caused by some typical bacterial infections, summarizes the role of some mammalian miRNAs in regulating these mechanisms, and introduces the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in detail. Evidence suggests that this newly discovered immune defense mechanism in mammalian cells can also be affected by miRNAs. Meanwhile, some examples of transboundary regulation of mammalian mRNA and even bacterial diseases by exogenous miRNAs from plants are also summarized. This viewpoint provides fresh understanding of microbial tactics and host mechanisms in the management of bacterial illnesses.
Insights
Plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) show potential as novel therapeutics against bacterial zoonoses by regulating host immune responses. This review explores their role in modulating inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy for disease management.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bacterial zoonoses pose significant threats to public health and global economies.
- Current diagnostics and therapeutics for bacterial infections are limited.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in host-pathogen interactions, influencing gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of mammalian miRNAs in regulating immune defense mechanisms against bacterial infections.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of exogenous plant-derived miRNAs in managing bacterial diseases.
- To detail the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and its regulation by miRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on bacterial infections, host-pathogen interactions, and miRNA functions.
- Analysis of immune defense mechanisms including inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy.
- Examination of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in mammalian cells.
- Summary of plant-derived exosomal miRNAs and their transboundary regulatory effects.
Main Results:
- Bacterial infections disrupt host miRNA expression, affecting immune responses.
- Mammalian miRNAs regulate key cellular processes like inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy.
- The cGAS-STING pathway is a target for miRNA-mediated immune regulation.
- Plant-derived exogenous miRNAs demonstrate functional stability in mammals and therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous plant miRNAs offer a promising avenue for novel antibacterial therapies.
- Understanding miRNA-mediated regulation of host immunity is crucial for combating bacterial zoonoses.
- Plant-derived miRNAs can modulate mammalian mRNA and influence bacterial disease progression.
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