Micro-Players of Great Significance—Host microRNA Signature in Viral Infections in Humans and Animals

Abstract

Over time, more and more is becoming known about micro-players of great significance. This is particularly the case for microRNAs (miRNAs; miR), which have been found to participate in the regulation of many physiological and pathological processes in both humans and animals. One such process is viral infection in humans and animals, in which the host miRNAs—alone or in conjunction with the virus—interact on two levels: viruses may regulate the host’s miRNAs to evade its immune system, while the host miRNAs can play anti- or pro-viral roles. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to present the key miRNAs involved in viral infections in humans and animals. We summarize the data in the available literature, indicating that the signature miRNAs in human viral infections mainly include 12 miRNAs (i.e., miR-155, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-122, miR-125b, miR-132, miR-34a, miR -21, miR-16, miR-181 family, let-7 family, and miR-10a), while 10 miRNAs are commonly found in animals (i.e., miR-155, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-145, miR-21, miR-15a/miR-16 cluster, miR-181 family, let-7 family, and miR-122) in this context. Knowledge of which miRNAs are involved in different viral infections and the biological functions that they play can help in understanding the pathogenesis of viral diseases, facilitating the future development of therapeutic agents for both humans and animals.

MicroRNAs participate in the regulation of apoptosis and oxidative stress-related gene expression in rabbits infected with Lagovirus europaeus GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes

“…The process included several stages. In the first stage, miRs involved in apoptosis and oxidative stress processes were selected ( Hukowska-Szematowicz et al, 2020 ; Ostrycharz and Hukowska-Szematowicz, 2022 ). At this stage, the miRTarBase database ( Chou et al, 2018 ) was used to select miRs using various search strategies (by miRs, by target gene, by pathway/process, by validated methods, by disease).…”

“…Our recent studies indicate the role of miRs as micro-players of great importance in viral infections in humans and animals ( Hukowska-Szematowicz et al, 2020 ; Ostrycharz and Hukowska-Szematowicz, 2022 ; Hukowska-Szematowicz et al, 2023 ). miRs can regulate gene expression related to apoptosis ( Su et al, 2015 ) and oxidative stress ( Banerjee et al, 2017 ; Fioravanti et al, 2022 ) during diseases, including viral ones ( Hukowska-Szematowicz et al, 2020 ; Fioravanti et al, 2022 ; Ostrycharz and Hukowska-Szematowicz, 2022 ), and thus affect the activity status of signaling pathways ( Chen, 2015 ; Sadri Nahand et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The above findings indicate that apoptosis and oxidative stress play an essential role in the pathogenesis of RHD. However, so far [apart from the research of Hukowska-Szematowicz et al (2020) and Ostrycharz and Hukowska-Szematowicz (2022) ], nothing is known about the molecular signatures of regulatory interactions between miRs and apoptosis and oxidative stress in L. europaeus infection/pathogenesis of RHD.…”

“…Therefore, we undertook research aimed at assessing the expression of miRs and their target genes related to apoptosis and oxidative stress and assessing their potential impact on the pathways in infection with L. europaeus —two genotypes (GI.1 and GI.2) with different virulence in four tissues (liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen). Based on in silico analysis and our previous literature data ( Hukowska-Szematowicz et al, 2020 ; Ostrycharz and Hukowska-Szematowicz, 2022 ), we selected miRs/target genes in the apoptosis and oxidative stress processes. For apoptosis: miR-21 (target genes—phosphatase and tensin homolog [ PTEN ] and programmed cell death factor 4 [ PDCD4 ]), miR-16b (antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 [ Bcl-2 ] and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 [ CXCL10 ]), miR-34a (p53 protein gene ( p53 ), and silent information regulator 1 [ SIRT1 ]).…”

Circulating and extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs as biomarkers in bone-related diseases

“…Specifically, in oncologic diseases, miRNAs are involved in cell apoptosis, invasion and metastasis and disease progression and have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic use ( 11 – 20 ). Moreover, miRNAs have also been implied in viral disease ( 11 , 21 , 22 ), neurodegenerative disease ( 11 , 23 , 24 ) and immune disease ( 25 , 26 ).…”