Plasma levels of hsa-miR-3158-3p microRNA on admission correlate with MRI findings and predict outcome in cerebral malaria

Recent advances in the development and clinical application of miRNAs in infectious diseases

In the search for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for infectious diseases, several molecules have been investigated. Small RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRs), are important regulators of gene expression, and have emerged as promising candidates for these purposes. MiRs are a class of small, endogenous non-coding RNAs that play critical roles in several human diseases, including host-pathogen interaction mechanisms. Recently, miRs signatures have been reported in different infectious diseases, opening new perspectives for molecular diagnosis and therapy. MiR profiles can discriminate between healthy individuals and patients, as well as distinguish different disease stages. Furthermore, the possibility of assessing miRs in biological fluids, such as serum and whole blood, renders these molecules feasible for the development of new non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tools. In this manuscript, we will comprehensively describe miRs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in infectious diseases and explore how they can contribute to the advance of existing and new tools. Additionally, we will discuss different miR analysis platforms to understand the obstacles and advances of this molecular approach and propose their potential clinical applications and contributions to public health.

Unveiling miRNA-Gene Regulatory Axes as Promising Biomarkers for Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver cirrhosis, a severe scarring condition of the liver with the potential to progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), necessitates the development of reliable biomarkers for early detection due to the asymptomatic nature of its early stages. Recent discoveries in microRNAs (miRNAs) hold promise for a noninvasive test, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. Building upon these promising findings, this study investigates gene expression data, identifying distinct sets of DEGs and DEMs using GEO2R. Subsequently, a gene-miRNA network was constructed using Cytoscape to explore potential interactions between DEMs and their target genes (DEGs). Boxplot analysis was carried out to identify and validate differences in gene expression between healthy and diseased tissues. This analysis revealed four significantly differentially expressed genes: CAV1, PEA15, EMP1, and ENAH. Notably, subsequent survival analysis demonstrated that EMP1 and ENAH significantly impact overall patient survival. Intriguingly, the constructed network identified several potential regulatory axes: hsa-miR-191-5p/ENAH, hsa-miR-3158-3p/ENAH, hsa-miR-371a-5p/ENAH, and hsa-miR-6753-5p/EMP1. Crucially, a direct comparison of DEGs and DEMs between liver cirrhosis and HCC pinpointed AGO3, NCOA3, and TNPO1, along with their regulatory elements, as potential key drivers of HCC development in cirrhotic patients, underscoring their importance as targets for early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Finally, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis not only validates our findings but also reiterates the novelty of the identified genes. Overall, elucidating the role of these novel genes and regulatory elements could pave the way for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of liver diseases.

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of miR-146a: Targeting innate inflammation in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the foremost vascular disease, precipitating debilitating complications. Although therapeutic strategies have historically focused on reducing cholesterol deposition, recent insights emphasize the pivotal role of inflammation. Innate inflammation significantly contributes to plaque instability and rupture, underscoring the need for intervention across all disease stages. Numerous studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of targeting innate immune pathways in atherosclerosis, revealing significant advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory processes within arterial lesions. Notably, research has demonstrated that the modulation of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression impacts innate inflammation, effectively halts atherosclerosis progression, and enhances plaque stability by targeting interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) and activating TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), a signalling pathway involving toll-like receptors (TLRs). Understanding the intricate mechanisms involved is crucial. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evidence and underlying mechanisms through which miR-146a exerts its effects. Integrating these findings into clinical practice may herald a transformative era in managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Unravelling the Influence of Host Genetic Factors on Malaria Susceptibility in Asian Populations

Malaria is a deadly blood-borne disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite. Infection results in various forms of malaria, including an asymptomatic state, uncomplicated disease, or severe disease. Severe malaria (SM) is particularly prevalent among young children and is a significant cause of mortality. SM is associated with the sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in the microvasculature of vital host organs, disrupting the normal functioning of the immune system. Although the exact mechanisms of malaria pathogenesis are yet to be fully understood, researchers have been investigating the role of host genetics in determining the severity of the disease and the outcome of infection. The objective of this study is to identify specific host genes that have been examined for their association with malaria in Asian populations and pinpoint those most likely to influence susceptibility. Through an extensive screening process, a total of 982 articles were initially identified, and after careful review, 40 articles discussing 68 genes were included in this review. By constructing a network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs), we identified six key proteins (TNF, IL6, TLR4, IL1β, IL10, and IL8) that exhibited substantial interactions (more than 30 edges), suggesting their potential as significant targets for influencing malaria susceptibility. Notably, these six proteins have been previously identified as crucial components of the immune response, associated with malaria susceptibility, and capable of affecting different clinical forms of the disease. Identifying genes that contribute to malaria susceptibility or resistance holds the promise of enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating illness. Such knowledge has the potential to pave the way for more targeted and effective strategies in combating malaria, particularly in Asian populations where controlling Plasmodium vivax is challenging, and India contributes the highest number of cases. By understanding the genetic factors underlying malaria vulnerability, we can develop interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of Asian populations, ultimately leading to better outcomes in the fight against this disease.

Host-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Blood and Tissue Human Protozoan Infections

Blood and tissue protozoan infections are responsible for an enormous burden in tropical and subtropical regions, even though they can also affect people living in high-income countries, mainly as a consequence of migration and travel. These pathologies are responsible for heavy socio-economic issues in endemic countries, where the lack of proper therapeutic interventions and effective vaccine strategies is still hampering their control. Moreover, the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the establishment, progression and outcome of these infectious diseases are yet to be fully described. Among all the players, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have raised significant interest during the last decades due to their capacity to modulate inter-parasite and host-parasite interactions. In the present manuscript, we will review the state of the art of circulating host-derived EVs in clinical samples or in experimental models of human blood and tissue protozoan diseases (i.e., malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis and toxoplasmosis) to gain novel insights into the mechanisms of pathology underlying these conditions and to identify novel potential diagnostic markers.

MiRNA-146a-A Key Player in Immunity and Diseases

miRNA-146a, a single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecule, has emerged as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for numerous pathological conditions. Its primary function lies in regulating inflammatory processes, haemopoiesis, allergic responses, and other key aspects of the innate immune system. Several studies have indicated that polymorphisms in miRNA-146a can influence the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancer. One of the key mechanisms by which miRNA-146a exerts its effects is by controlling the expression of certain proteins involved in critical pathways. It can modulate the activity of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase, IRAK1, IRAK2 adaptor proteins, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) targeting protein receptor 6, which is a regulator of the TNF signalling pathway. In addition, miRNA-146a affects gene expression through multiple signalling pathways, such as TNF, NF-κB and MEK-1/2, and JNK-1/2. Studies have been carried out to determine the effect of miRNA-146a on cancer pathogenesis, revealing its involvement in the synthesis of stem cells, which contributes to tumourigenesis. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries that highlight the significant role played by miRNA-146a in regulating various defence mechanisms and oncogenesis. The aim of this review article is to systematically examine miRNA-146a's impact on the control of signalling pathways involved in oncopathology, immune system development, and the corresponding response to therapy.

Erythrocyte miRNA-92a-3p interactions with PfEMP1 as determinants of clinical malaria

Based on the recently added high throughput analysis data on small noncoding RNAs in modulating disease pathophysiology of malaria, we performed an integrative computational analysis for exploring the role of human-host erythrocytic microRNAs (miRNAs) and their influence on parasite survival and host homeostasis. An in silico analysis was performed on transcriptomic datasets accessed from PlasmoDB and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repositories analyzed using miRanda, miRTarBase, mirDIP, and miRDB to identify the candidate miRNAs that were further subjected to network analysis using MCODE and DAVID. This was followed by immune infiltration analysis and screening for RNA degradation mechanisms. Seven erythrocytic miRNAs, miR-451a, miR-92a-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-223-3p showed favourable interactions with parasite genes expressed during blood stage infection. The miR-92a-3p that targeted the virulence gene PfEMP1 showed drastic reduction during infection. Performing pathway analysis for the human-host gene targets for the miRNA identified TOB1, TOB2, CNOT4, and XRN1 genes that are associated to RNA degradation processes, with the exoribonuclease XRN1, highly enriched in the malarial samples. On evaluating the role of exoribonucleases in miRNA degradation further, the pattern of Plasmodium falciparum_XRN1 showed increased levels during infection thus suggesting a defensive role for parasite survival. This study identifies miR-92a-3p, a member of C13orf25/ miR-17-92 cluster, as a novel miRNA inhibitor of the crucial parasite genes responsible for symptomatic malaria. Evidence for a plausible link to chromosome 13q31.3 loci controlling the epigenetic disease regulation is also suggested.

Exosomal MicroRNA Levels Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown high efficiency in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) treatment. However, the response to therapy among patients varies greatly. Modern studies demonstrate the high potential of exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers in oncopathology. This study aimed to evaluate exosomal miRNA expression profiles of miRNAs-144, -146a, -149, -126, and -155 in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study included 35 patients whose venous blood samples were taken before and after ICI therapy. Expression analysis was performed using real-time quantitative PCR. It was demonstrated that the level of microRNA-146a increased after therapy (median(IQR) 12.92(4.06–18.90)) compared with the level before it (median(IQR) 7.15(1.90–10.50); p-value = 0.006). On the contrary, microRNA-126 was reduced after therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (median(IQR) 0.85(0.55–1.03) vs. 0.48(0.15–0.68) before and after therapy, respectively; p-value = 0.0001). In addition, miRNA-146a expression was shown to be reduced in patients with a higher grade of immune-related adverse events (p-value = 0.020). The AUC value for the miRNA-146a and miRNA-126 combination was 0.752 (95% CI 0.585–0.918), with the sensitivity at 64.3% and the specificity at 78.9%. Thus, while it can be assumed that miRNA-146a and miRNA-126 can be used as predictors for ICI therapy effectiveness, additional in-depth studies are required.

The kidney-brain pathogenic axis in severe falciparum malaria

Severe falciparum malaria is a medical emergency and a leading cause of death and neurodisability in endemic areas. Common complications include acute kidney injury (AKI) and cerebral malaria, and recent studies have suggested links between kidney and brain dysfunction in Plasmodium falciparum infection. Here, we review these new findings and present the hypothesis of a pivotal pathogenic crosstalk between the kidneys and the brain in severe falciparum malaria. We highlight the evidence of a role for distant organ involvement in the development of cerebral malaria and subsequent neurocognitive impairment post-recovery, describe the challenges associated with current diagnostic shortcomings for both AKI and brain involvement in severe falciparum malaria, and explore novel potential therapeutic strategies.

Diagnosis of cerebral malaria: Tools to reduce Plasmodium falciparum associated mortality

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a major cause of mortality in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection and is associated with the sequestration of parasitised erythrocytes in the microvasculature of the host's vital organs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are key to a positive outcome in CM. However, current diagnostic tools remain inadequate to assess the degree of brain dysfunction associated with CM before the window for effective treatment closes. Several host and parasite factor-based biomarkers have been suggested as rapid diagnostic tools with potential for early CM diagnosis, however, no specific biomarker signature has been validated. Here, we provide an updated review on promising CM biomarker candidates and evaluate their applicability as point-of-care tools in malaria-endemic areas.

A combined miRNA-piRNA signature in the serum and urine of rabbits infected with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence has shown that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules play fundamental roles in cells, and many are stable in body fluids as circulating RNAs. Study on these ncRNAs will provide insights into toxoplasmosis pathophysiology and/or help reveal diagnostic biomarkers.

METHODS

We performed a high-throughput RNA-Seq study to comprehensively profile the microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in rabbit serum and urine after infection with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts during the whole infection process.

RESULTS

Total RNA extracted from serum and urine samples of acutely infected [8 days post-infection (DPI)], chronically infected (70 DPI) and uninfected rabbits were subjected to genome-wide small RNA sequencing. We identified 2089 miRNAs and 2224 novel piRNAs from the rabbit sera associated with T. gondii infection. Meanwhile, a total of 518 miRNAs and 4182 novel piRNAs were identified in the rabbit urine associated with T. gondii infection. Of these identified small ncRNAs, 1178 and 1317 serum miRNAs and 311 and 294 urine miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in the acute and chronic stages of infections, respectively. A total of 1748 and 1814 serum piRNAs and 597 and 708 urine piRNAs were found in the acute and chronic infection stages, respectively. Of these dysregulated ncRNAs, a total of 88 common DE miRNAs and 120 DE novel piRNAs were found in both serum and urine samples of infected rabbits.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide valuable data for revealing the physiology of herbivore toxoplasmosis caused by oocyst infection. Circulating ncRNAs identified in this study are potential novel diagnostic biomarkers for the detection/diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in herbivorous animals.

Circulating MicroRNAs and myocardial involvement severity in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy

Background

Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by a unique pathophysiology in which inflammatory, microvascular and neuroendocrine processes coalesce in the development of one of the most severe cardiomyopathies affecting humans. Despite significant advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in this disease, scarce information is available regarding microRNAs and clinical parameters of disease severity. We aimed to evaluate the association between circulating levels of six microRNAs with markers of myocardial injury and prognosis in this population.

Methods

Patients with CCM and reduced ejection fraction were included in a prospective exploratory cohort study. We assessed the association of natural log-transformed values of six circulating microRNAs (miR-34a-5p, miR-208a-5p, miR-185-5p, miR-223-5p, let-7d-5p, and miR-454-5p) with NT-proBNP levels and echocardiographic variables using linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. By using Cox Proportional Hazard models, we examined whether levels of microRNAs could predict a composite outcome (CO), including all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, and implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Finally, for mRNAs showing significant associations, we predicted the target genes and performed pathway analyses using Targetscan and Reactome Pathway Browser.

Results

Seventy-four patients were included (59% males, median age: 64 years). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and heart failure medications, only increasing miR-223-5p relative expression levels were significantly associated with better myocardial function markers, including left atrium area (Coef. -10.2; 95% CI -16.35; -4.09), end-systolic (Coef. -45.3; 95% CI -74.06; -16.61) and end-diastolic volumes (Coef. -46.1; 95% CI -81.99; -10.26) of the left ventricle. Moreover, we observed that higher miR-223-5p levels were associated with better left-ventricle ejection fraction and lower NT-proBNP levels. No associations were observed between the six microRNAs and the composite outcome. A total of 123 target genes for miR-223-5p were obtained. From these, several target pathways mainly related to signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases were identified.

Conclusions

The present study found an association between miR-223-5p and clinical parameters of CCM, with signaling pathways related to receptor tyrosine kinases as a potential mechanism linking low levels of miR-223-5p with CCM worsening.

Cerebral malaria induced by plasmodium falciparum: clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

Cerebral malaria (CM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a fatal neurological complication of malaria, resulting in coma and death, and even survivors may suffer long-term neurological sequelae. In sub-Saharan Africa, CM occurs mainly in children under five years of age. Although intravenous artesunate is considered the preferred treatment for CM, the clinical efficacy is still far from satisfactory. The neurological damage induced by CM is irreversible and lethal, and it is therefore of great significance to unravel the exact etiology of CM, which may be beneficial for the effective management of this severe disease. Here, we review the clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical therapy of CM, with the aim of providing insights into the development of novel tools for improved CM treatments.

Exosomal MicroRNA-Based Predictive Model for Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to be biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether exosomal miRNAs can predict AD at the asymptomatic stage remains unclear.

METHODS

This study is a multicenter study with four independent datasets to verify the capacity of exosomal miRNAs to identify preclinical AD. Subjects were recruited from a Beijing center in the pilot study (dataset 1: subjects with AD, n = 20; control subjects, n = 20), from other centers across China (dataset 2: subjects with AD, n = 95; control subjects, n = 93), a longitudinal cohort (dataset 3: subjects with preclinical AD, n = 101; control subjects, n = 102), and a confirmation study on familial AD (dataset 4: mutation carriers, n = 56; nonmutation carriers, n = 57).

RESULTS

A panel of miRNAs was changed in subjects with AD and can detect preclinical AD 5 to 7 years before the onset of cognitive impairment (areas under the curve = 0.85-0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomal miRNAs can be effective biomarkers for predicting AD 5 to 7 years prior to cognitive impairment onset.

Key plasma microRNAs variations in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria in Iran

Introduction

As the cause of RBC infection and splenomegaly, malaria remains a major parasitic disease in the world. New specific biomarkers such as MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are developed to accurately diagnose malaria and clarify its pathologic changes. This study aimed at evaluating changes in the plasma miRNAs markers of Plasmodium vivax in patients with malaria in Chabahar, Iran.

Materials and methods

For the present descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2018, we collected blood samples from 20 individuals. Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the plasma levels of miR-145, miR-155, miR-191 and miR-223-3p.

Results

The 2-ΔΔCT method of Real-time PCR showed the plasma levels of miR-223, miR-145 and miR-155 to respectively be 5.6, 16.9 and 1.7 times higher in patients with P. vivax compared to those in healthy individuals. The expressions of all the three miRNAs significantly increased in patients with malaria compared to in the controls (P < 0.05). The expression of miR-191 was 1.405 times higher in patients with malaria compared to that in the controls, although the difference was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

The present study found P. vivax to change host miRNAs such as miR-223, miR-145 and miR-155. These small molecules thus appeared to constitute biomarkers for P. vivax malaria assessment.

microRNAs: An opportunity to overcome significant challenges in malaria detection and control

Organ damage and pathological disease states lead to the rapid release of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs, into the blood circulation. Because secreted miRNAs can be detected in biologic fluids such as plasma, they are currently being explored as promising non-invasive biomarkers of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Malaria remains a major global health challenge but still the potential of miRNAs has not been explored extensively in the context of malaria compared to other diseases. Here, we highlight important miRNAs found during different phases of the malaria life cycle in the anopheline vector and the human host. We have also put forward our opinion on how malaria parasite-stage-specific miRNAs can be incorporated into new diagnostic and prognostic tools to detect carrier mosquitoes and infected patients. In addition, we have emphasised the potential of miRNAs to be used as new therapeutics to treat severe malaria patients, an unresearched area of malaria control.

Harnessing the Potential of miRNAs in Malaria Diagnostic and Prevention

Despite encouraging progress over the past decade, malaria remains a major global health challenge. Its severe form accounts for the majority of malaria-related deaths, and early diagnosis is key for a positive outcome. However, this is hindered by the non-specific symptoms caused by malaria, which often overlap with those of other viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. In addition, current tools are unable to detect the nature and degree of vital organ dysfunction associated with severe malaria, as complications develop silently until the effective treatment window is closed. It is therefore crucial to identify cheap and reliable early biomarkers of this wide-spectrum disease. microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, are rapidly released into the blood circulation upon physiological changes, including infection and organ damage. The present review details our current knowledge of miRNAs as biomarkers of specific organ dysfunction in patients with malaria, and both promising candidates identified by pre-clinical models and important knowledge gaps are highlighted for future evaluation in humans. miRNAs associated with infected vectors are also described, with a view to expandind this rapidly growing field of research to malaria transmission and surveillance.

Erythrocyte miRNA regulators and malarial pathophysiology

Pathophysiology of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in malaria vis a vis host and the parasite genome interactions has been deciphered recently to present the biology of cerebral malaria, severe anaemia and placental malaria. Small non-coding RNAs have exhibited their potential to be considered as indicators and regulators of diseases. The malarial pathologies and their associated mechanisms mediated by miRNAs and their role in haematopoiesis and red cell-related disorders are elucidated. Evidence of miRNA carrying exosome-like vesicles released during infection, delivering signals to endothelial cells enhancing gene expression, resulting in parasite sequestration and complications leading to pathologies of cerebral malaria are important breakthroughs. Pregnancy malaria showed Plasmodium surface antigen promoted erythrocyte sequestration in the placental intervillous space, provoking disease development and assorted complications. Syncytiotrophoblast-derived microparticles during pregnancy and fetus development may predict pathophysiological progression on account of their altered miRNA cargoes in malaria.