The roles of microRNAs on tuberculosis infection: Meaning or myth?

Abstract

Summary The central proteins for protection against tuberculosis are attributed to interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, while IL-10 primarily suppresses anti-mycobacterial responses. Several studies found alteration of expression profile of genes involved in anti-mycobacterial responses in macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells from active and latent tuberculosis and from tuberculosis and healthy controls. This alteration of cellular composition might be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). Albeit only 1% of the genomic transcripts in mammalian cells encode miRNA, they are predicted to control the activity of more than 60% of all protein-coding genes and they have a huge influence in pathogenesis theory, diagnosis and treatment approach to some diseases. Several miRNAs have been found to regulate T cell differentiation and function and have critical role in regulating the innate function of macrophages, dendritic cells and NK cells. Here, we have reviewed the role of miRNAs implicated in tuberculosis infection, especially related to their new roles in the molecular pathology of tuberculosis immunology and as new targets for future tuberculosis diagnostics.

Host Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis: Futures Strategies for an Ancient Disease

“…Among the most relevant are certainly the need to improve our understanding of TB pathogenesis, with the identification of the events at molecular level, to identify potentially relevant host targets and molecules that by interfering in these processes will serve as a HDTs. The recent studies on the role of miRNA in TB pathogenesis may lead to the identification of new targets for HDTs, and to the identification of the TB patients for which a given HDT would be more appropriate [45,62]. Moreover, it will also be of paramount importance to develop relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental models to test the anti-TB activity of these HDTs when administered alone or in combination.…”

“…Vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) was shown to induce autophagy in Mtb-infected macrophages via cathelicidin [44]. miRNAs, small, non-coding RNAs, are a novel class of drugs with potential applications also in the treatment of infectious diseases [45]. In TB disease, some miRNAs have been implicated in the modulation of autophagy and apoptosis, such as miRNA-155 that inhibits ATG3 expression, essential for the correct formation of autophagosomes during Mtb infection [46].…”

Diagnostic values of microRNA-31 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells for pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese patients

“…MiRs regulate diverse cellular processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, organ development and act as biomarkers for infectious diseases (Fu et al, 2011). Several miRs have been found to regulate differentiation and function of T cells, and have critical roles in regulating macrophages, dendritic cells, and innate functions of NK cells (Liu et al, 2011;Harapan et al, 2013). For example, miRNA-155 is essential for T cell-mediated Helicobacter pylori infection, and miR-147 attenuates TLR-induced inflammatory responses (Yi et al, 2012).…”

The role of microRNAs in HIV infection

“…Specifically, miRNA-regulation of HIV-1 infection has been experimentally verified and independently reported by several groups of investigators [11][12][13][14][15]. Previously, we have discussed the role of micRNAs on tuberculosis infection and also other non-communicable disease [10,16,17]. In this paper, we present current and emerging knowledge on the roles of miRNAs on HIV infection that may facilitate the design of miRNAs as effective antiretroviral agents.…”