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Latini A, Vancheri C, Amati F, Morini E, Grelli S, Claudia M, Vita P, Colona VL, Murdocca M, Andreoni M, Malagnino V, Raponi M, Cocciadiferro D, Novelli A, Borgiani P, Novelli G. Expression analysis of miRNA hsa-let7b-5p in naso-oropharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients supports its role in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 receptors. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:4940-4948. [PMID: 36073344 PMCID: PMC9538662 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the novel coronavirus responsible for worldwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We previously observed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) are significantly overexpressed in naso-oropharyngeal swabs (NPS) of COVID-19 patients, suggesting their putative functional role in the disease progression. ACE2 and DPP4 overexpression in COVID-19 patients may be associated to epigenetic mechanism, such as miRNA differential expression. We investigated if hsa-let7b-5p, reported to target both ACE2 and DPP4 transcripts, could be involved in the regulation of these genes. We verified that the inhibition and overexpression of hsa-let7b-5p matched to a modulation of both ACE2 and DPP4 levels. Then, we observed a statistically significant downregulation (FC = -1.5; p < 0.05) of hsa-let7b-5p in the same COVID-19 and control samples of our previous study. This is the first study that shows hsa-let7b-5p low expression in naso-oropharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients and demonstrates a functional role of this miR in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 levels. These data suggest the involvement of hsa-let7b-5p in the regulation of genes necessary for SARS-CoV-2 infections and its putative role as a therapeutic target for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Latini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Vancheri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Amati
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Morini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Matteucci Claudia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Petrone Vita
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Michela Murdocca
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Malagnino
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paola Borgiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Neuromed IRCCS Institute, Pozzilli, Italy.,School of Medicine, Reno University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
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Marques-Pereira C, Pires M, Moreira IS. Discovery of Virus-Host interactions using bioinformatic tools. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 169:169-198. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Sardar R, Satish D, Gupta D. Identification of Novel SARS-CoV-2 Drug Targets by Host MicroRNAs and Transcription Factors Co-regulatory Interaction Network Analysis. Front Genet 2020; 11:571274. [PMID: 33173539 PMCID: PMC7591747 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.571274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the host regulatory mechanisms opposing virus infection and virulence can provide actionable insights to identify novel therapeutics against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We have used a network biology approach to elucidate the crucial factors involved in host responses involving host-microRNA (miRNA) interactions with host and virus genes using recently published experimentally verified protein-protein interaction data. We were able to identify 311 host genes to be potentially targetable by 2,197 human miRNAs. These miRNAs are known to be involved in various biological processes, such as T-cell differentiation and activation, virus replication, and immune system. Among these, the anti-viral activity of 38 miRNAs to target 148 host genes is experimentally validated. Six anti-viral miRNAs, namely, hsa-miR-1-3p, hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-429, hsa-miR-15a-5p, and hsa-miR-20a-5p, are previously reported to be anti-viral in respiratory diseases and were found to be downregulated. The interaction network of the 2,197 human miRNAs and interacting transcription factors (TFs) enabled the identification of 51 miRNAs to interact with 77 TFs inducing activation or repression and affecting gene expression of linked genes. Further, from the gene regulatory network analysis, the top five hub genes HMOX1, DNMT1, PLAT, GDF1, and ITGB1 are found to be involved in interferon (IFN)-α2b induction, epigenetic modification, and modulation of anti-viral activity. The comparative miRNAs target identification analysis in other respiratory viruses revealed the presence of 98 unique host miRNAs targeting SARS-CoV-2 genome. Our findings identify prioritized key regulatory interactions that include miRNAs and TFs that provide opportunities for the identification of novel drug targets and development of anti-viral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahila Sardar
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepshikha Satish
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
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MicroRNA-221-5p Inhibits Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Replication by Targeting Genomic Viral RNA and Activating the NF-κB Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113381. [PMID: 30380612 PMCID: PMC6274926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs involved in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression and many critical roles in numerous biological processes. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), the etiological agent of porcine epidemic diarrhea, causes substantial economic loss in the swine industry worldwide. Previous studies reported miRNA involvement in viral infection; however, their role in regulating PEDV infection remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between miRNA-221-5p and PEDV infection, finding that miR-221-5p overexpression inhibited PEDV replication in a dose-dependent manner, and that silencing endogenous miR-221-5p enhanced viral replication. Our results showed that miR-221-5p directly targets the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of PEDV genomic RNA to inhibit PEDV replication, and that miR-221-5p overexpression activates nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling via p65 nuclear translocation, thereby upregulating interferon (IFN)-β, IFN-stimulated gene 15, and MX1 expression during CH/HBTS/2017 infection. We subsequently identified NF-κB-inhibitor α and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, negative regulators of the NF-κB pathway, as miR-221-5p targets. These results demonstrated the ability of miR-221-5p to inhibit PEDV replication by targeting the 3’ UTR of the viral genome and activating the NF-κB-signaling pathway. Our findings will aid the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for PEDV infection.
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Bofill-De Ros X, Rovira-Rigau M, Fillat C. Implications of MicroRNAs in Oncolytic Virotherapy. Front Oncol 2017; 7:142. [PMID: 28725635 PMCID: PMC5495989 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non-coding RNA molecules (~22 nt) that can repress gene expression. Deregulation of certain miRNAs is widely recognized as a robust biomarker for many neoplasms, as well as an important player in tumorigenesis and the establishment of tumoral microenvironments. The downregulation of specific miRNAs in tumors has been exploited as a mechanism to provide selectivity to oncolytic viruses or gene-based therapies. miRNA response elements recognizing miRNAs expressed in specific tissues, but downregulated in tumors, have been inserted into the 3′UTR of viral genes to promote the degradation of these viral mRNAs in healthy tissue, but not in tumor cells. Consequently, oncolytic virotherapy-associated toxicities were diminished, while therapeutic activity in tumor cells was preserved. However, viral infections themselves can modulate the miRNome of the host cell, and such miRNA changes under infection impact the normal viral lifecycle. Thus, there is a miRNA-mediated interplay between virus and host cell, affecting both viral and cellular activities. Moreover, the outcome of such interactions may be cell type or condition specific, suggesting that the impact on normal and tumoral cells may differ. Here, we provide an insight into the latest developments in miRNA-based viral engineering for cancer therapy, following the most recent discoveries in miRNA biology. Furthermore, we report on the relevance of miRNAs in virus–host cell interaction, and how such knowledge can be exploited to improve the control of viral activity in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Bofill-De Ros
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Rovira-Rigau
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Fillat
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
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Isaacs SR, Wang J, Kim KW, Yin C, Zhou L, Mi QS, Craig ME. MicroRNAs in Type 1 Diabetes: Complex Interregulation of the Immune System, β Cell Function and Viral Infections. Curr Diab Rep 2016; 16:133. [PMID: 27844276 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-016-0819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the first mammalian microRNA (miRNA) more than two decades ago, a plethora of miRNAs has been identified in humans, now amounting to more than 2500. Essential for post-transcriptional regulation of gene networks integral for developmental pathways and immune response, it is not surprising that dysregulation of miRNAs is often associated with the aetiology of complex diseases including cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. Despite massive expansion of small RNA studies and extensive investigation in diverse disease contexts, the role of miRNAs in type 1 diabetes has only recently been explored. Key studies using human islets have recently implicated virus-induced miRNA dysregulation as a pivotal mechanism of β cell destruction, while the interplay between miRNAs, the immune system and β cell survival has been illustrated in studies using animal and cellular models of disease. The role of specific miRNAs as major players in immune system homeostasis highlights their exciting potential as therapeutics and prognostic biomarkers of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia R Isaacs
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- UNSW and POWH Virology Research Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Jie Wang
- Henry Ford Immunology Program, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Ki Wook Kim
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- UNSW and POWH Virology Research Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Congcong Yin
- Henry Ford Immunology Program, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Li Zhou
- Henry Ford Immunology Program, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Qing Sheng Mi
- Henry Ford Immunology Program, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Maria E Craig
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- UNSW and POWH Virology Research Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.
- Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Xu F, Kang Y, Zhuang N, Lu Z, Zhang H, Xu D, Ding Y, Yin H, Shi L. Bcl6 Sets a Threshold for Antiviral Signaling by Restraining IRF7 Transcriptional Program. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18778. [PMID: 26728228 PMCID: PMC4700451 DOI: 10.1038/srep18778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The coordination of restraining and priming of antiviral signaling constitute a fundamental aspect of immunological functions. However, we currently know little about the molecular events that can translate the pathogenic cues into the appropriate code for antiviral defense. Our present study reports a specific role of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)6 as a checkpoint in the initiation of the host response to cytosolic RNA viruses. Remarkably, Bcl6 specifically binds to the interferon-regulatory factor (IRF)7 loci and restrains its transcription, thereby functioning as a negative regulator for interferon (IFN)-β production and antiviral responses. The signal-controlled turnover of the Bcl6, most likely mediated by microRNA-127, coordinates the antiviral response and inflammatory sequelae. Accordingly, de-repression of Bcl6 resulted in a phenotypic conversion of macrophages into highly potent IFN-producing cells and rendered mice more resistant to pathogenic RNA virus infection. The failure to remove the Bcl6 regulator, however, impedes the antiviral signaling and exaggerates viral pneumonia in mice. We thus reveal a novel key molecular checkpoint to orchestrate antiviral innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Yanhua Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Ningtong Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Zhe Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Dakang Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China.,MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Yina Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Hongping Yin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China
| | - Liyun Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Lab of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310036, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, China
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Human MicroRNA miR-532-5p Exhibits Antiviral Activity against West Nile Virus via Suppression of Host Genes SESTD1 and TAB3 Required for Virus Replication. J Virol 2015; 90:2388-402. [PMID: 26676784 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02608-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitos and birds but can also infect humans, causing severe neurological disease. The early host response to WNV infection in vertebrates primarily relies on the type I interferon pathway; however, recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) may also play a notable role. In this study, we assessed the role of host miRNAs in response to WNV infection in human cells. We employed small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to determine changes in the expression of host miRNAs in HEK293 cells infected with an Australian strain of WNV, Kunjin (WNVKUN), and identified a number of host miRNAs differentially expressed in response to infection. Three of these miRNAs were confirmed to be significantly upregulated in infected cells by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and Northern blot analyses, and one of them, miR-532-5p, exhibited a significant antiviral effect against WNVKUN infection. We have demonstrated that miR-532-5p targets and downregulates expression of the host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 in human cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion studies showed that both SESTD1 and TAB3 were required for efficient WNVKUN replication. We also demonstrated upregulation of mir-532-5p expression and a corresponding decrease in the expression of its targets, SESTD1 and TAB3, in the brains of WNVKUN -infected mice. Our results show that upregulation of miR-532-5p and subsequent suppression of the SESTD1 and TAB3 genes represent a host antiviral response aimed at limiting WNVKUN infection and highlight the important role of miRNAs in controlling RNA virus infections in mammalian hosts. IMPORTANCE West Nile virus (WNV) is a significant viral pathogen that poses a considerable threat to human health across the globe. There is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine available for WNV, and deeper insight into how the virus interacts with the host is required to facilitate their development. In this study, we addressed the role of host microRNAs (miRNAs) in antiviral response to WNV in human cells. We identified miR-532-5p as a novel antiviral miRNA and showed that it is upregulated in response to WNV infection and suppresses the expression of the host genes TAB3 and SESTD1 required for WNV replication. Our results show that upregulation of miR-532-5p and subsequent suppression of the SESTD1 and TAB3 genes represent an antiviral response aimed at limiting WNV infection and highlight the important role of miRNAs in controlling virus infections in mammalian hosts.
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