MicroRNAs: Critical Players During Helminth Infections

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2023 Jan 21

PMID 36677353

Authors

Maura Rojas-Pirela

Diego Andrade-Alviarez

Wilfredo Quinones

Maria Veronica Rojas

Christian Castillo

Ana Liempi

Lisvaneth Medina

Jesus Guerrero-Munoz

Alejandro Fernandez-Moya

Yessica Andreina Ortega

Sebastian Araneda

Juan Diego Maya

Ulrike Kemmerling

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally through their interaction with the 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR) of target mRNAs, affecting their stability and/or translation. Therefore, miRNAs regulate biological processes such as signal transduction, cell death, autophagy, metabolism, development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs is associated with infectious diseases, where miRNAs modulate important aspects of the parasite-host interaction. Helminths are parasitic worms that cause various neglected tropical diseases affecting millions worldwide. These parasites have sophisticated mechanisms that give them a surprising immunomodulatory capacity favoring parasite persistence and establishment of infection. In this review, we analyze miRNAs in infections caused by helminths, emphasizing their role in immune regulation and its implication in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of therapeutic strategies.

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