miRNAs and lncRNAs in Echinococcus and Echinococcosis

Abstract

Echinococcosis are considered to be potentially lethal zoonotic diseases that cause serious damage to hosts. The metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus can result in causing the alveolar and cystic echinococcoses, respectively. Recent studies have shown that non-coding RNAs are widely expressed in Echinococcus spp. and hosts. In this review, the two main types of non-coding RNAs—long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs)—and the wide-scale involvement of these molecules in these parasites and their hosts were discussed. The expression pattern of miRNAs in Echinococcus spp. is species- and developmental stage-specific. Furthermore, common miRNAs were detected in three Echinococcus spp. and their intermediate hosts. Here, we primarily focus on recent insights from transcriptome studies, the expression patterns of miRNAs and lncRNAs, and miRNA-related databases and techniques that are used to investigate miRNAs in Echinococcus and echinococcosis. This review provides new avenues for screening therapeutic and diagnostic markers.

MicroRNA profile in immune response of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis patients

“…However, the function of the miRNAs miR-71, let-7 and miR-61 was verified, and the target of miR-71 was also confirmed, in total, the targets and biological functions of fifteen miRNAs in Echinococcus species were predicted. 22 Jin et al have investigated miRNA profiling in the mice in response to E multilocularis infection. They reported that miR-21a-5p, miR-101b-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, let-7a, b, c and f are common in liver tissue samples and decrease in host during infestation.…”

Stability Analysis and Optimal Control Strategies of an Echinococcosis Transmission Model

“…As a result, human echinococcosis poses a significant burden on patients and health care. The life cycle of Echinococcus consists of three stages: egg, larva, and adult (see [ 2 – 6 ]). Adults reside in the definitive hosts (mainly dogs), produce eggs that are passed in the feces, contaminate the environment (for example, water, dog's fur, vegetables, grass, and soil), and are immediately infectious.…”

Expression profile of circular RNAs in cystic echinococcosis pericystic tissue

“…Previous studies revealed that circulating non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, can be detected in the blood of hosts infected with E. granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. 29 These stably circulating non-coding RNAs may play significant roles in the establishment and development of host-parasite interactions and could serve as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. However, the circRNA expression profiles in CE have been poorly explored.…”

“…Moreover, reduced miR-19b levels promote pericystic tissue formation during CE by inducing fibrosis through increased expression of TβRII, activation of hepatic stellate cells, and production of ECM 30. A previous report highlighted the differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs between splenic monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells of E. granulosus protoscolex-infected mice and normal mice 29. Further research on the functional mechanisms suggested that lncRNAs play a role in the immune response of the intermediate hosts,mice, against E. granulosus and might be useful as specific biomarkers for CE 29.…”

“…A previous report highlighted the differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs between splenic monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells of E. granulosus protoscolex-infected mice and normal mice 29. Further research on the functional mechanisms suggested that lncRNAs play a role in the immune response of the intermediate hosts,mice, against E. granulosus and might be useful as specific biomarkers for CE 29. Similarly, in this study, we detected 343 differentially expressed circRNAs in CE pericystic tissues; 177 were significantly upregulated, and 166 were significantly downregulated.…”