The role and mechanism of microRNAs in infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the most important pathogenic bacteria occurred in wide range of habitat, which cause of several diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, bacteremia and other common infections. Every year, approximately 1.6 million people are seriously affected and ultimately die as a result of pneumococcal infections worldwide, affecting people’s lives and health. Relevant studies in recent years have demonstrated the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of diseases. Further research on the mechanism of microRNA and the relationship between microRNA and diseases has shown that microRNA may become a new biological marker for disease diagnosis and may also provide a new approach to disease treatment. The function of microRNA in pneumococcal infections has also been gradually reported, including pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization, pneumonia, sepsis, bacteremia, heart invasion, meningitis, acute otitis media, osteoarthritis and other diseases. This article will overview the mechanism and research progress of microRNA in infections caused by S. pneumoniae.