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Bauer AN, Majumdar N, Williams F, Rajput S, Pokhrel LR, Cook PP, Akula SM. MicroRNAs: Small but Key Players in Viral Infections and Immune Responses to Viral Pathogens. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1334. [PMID: 37887044 PMCID: PMC10604607 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in C. elegans in 1993, the field of miRNA research has grown steeply. These single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules canonically work at the post-transcriptional phase to regulate protein expression. miRNAs are known to regulate viral infection and the ensuing host immune response. Evolving research suggests miRNAs are assets in the discovery and investigation of therapeutics and diagnostics. In this review, we succinctly summarize the latest findings in (i) mechanisms underpinning miRNA regulation of viral infection, (ii) miRNA regulation of host immune response to viral pathogens, (iii) miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics targeting viral pathogens and challenges, and (iv) miRNA patents and the market landscape. Our findings show the differential expression of miRNA may serve as a prognostic biomarker for viral infections in regard to predicting the severity or adverse health effects associated with viral diseases. While there is huge market potential for miRNA technology, the novel approach of using miRNA mimics to enhance antiviral activity or antagonists to inhibit pro-viral miRNAs has been an ongoing research endeavor. Significant hurdles remain in terms of miRNA delivery, stability, efficacy, safety/tolerability, and specificity. Addressing these challenges may pave a path for harnessing the full potential of miRNAs in modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anais N. Bauer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Niska Majumdar
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Frank Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Smit Rajput
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Lok R. Pokhrel
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Paul P. Cook
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
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Takahashi T, Ichikawa H, Okayama Y, Seki M, Hijikata T. SV40 miR-S1 and Cellular miR-1266 Sequester Each Other from Their Targets, Enhancing Telomerase Activity and Viral Replication. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8040057. [PMID: 36005825 PMCID: PMC9413689 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8040057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) target viral and host mRNAs to repress protein production from viral and host genes, and regulate viral persistence, cell transformation, and evasion of the immune system. The present study demonstrated that simian virus 40 (SV40)-encoded miRNA miR-S1 targets a cellular miRNA miR-1266 to derepress their respective target proteins, namely, T antigens (Tags) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). An in silico search for cellular miRNAs to interact with viral miR-S1 yielded nine potential miRNAs, five of which, including miR-1266, were found to interact with miR-S1 in dual-luciferase tests employing reporter plasmids containing the miRNA sequences with miR-S1. Intracellular bindings of miR-1266 to miR-S1 were also verified by the pull-down assay. These miRNAs were recruited into the Ago2-associated RNA-induced silencing complex. Intracellular coexpression of miR-S1 with miR-1266 abrogated the downregulation of TERT and decrease in telomerase activity induced by miR-1266. These effects of miR-S1 were also observed in miR-1266-expressing A549 cells infected with SV40. Moreover, the infected cells contained more Tag, replicated more viral DNA, and released more viral particles than control A549 cells infected with SV40, indicating that miR-S1-induced Tag downregulation was antagonized by miR-1266. Collectively, the present results revealed an interplay of viral and cellular miRNAs to sequester each other from their respective targets. This is a novel mechanism for viruses to manipulate the expression of viral and cellular proteins, contributing to not only viral lytic and latent replication but also cell transformation observed in viral infectious diseases including oncogenesis.
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