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The role of microRNAs in respiratory viral infection: friend or foe?
Author(s) -
Tahamtan Alireza,
Inchley Christopher S.,
Marzban Mona,
TavakoliYaraki Masoumeh,
TeymooriRad Majid,
Nakstad Britt,
Salimi Vahid
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
reviews in medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.06
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1654
pISSN - 1052-9276
DOI - 10.1002/rmv.1894
Subject(s) - microrna , biology , respiratory system , viral infection , virus , viral life cycle , disease , immunology , virology , viral replication , medicine , gene , pathology , genetics , anatomy
Summary MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a class of regulatory RNAs in host–pathogen interactions. Aberrant miRNA expression seems to play a central role in the pathology of several respiratory viruses, promoting development and progression of infection. miRNAs may thus serve as therapeutic and prognostic factors for respiratory viral infectious disease caused by a variety of agents. We present a comprehensive review of recent findings related to the role of miRNAs in different respiratory viral infections and discuss possible therapeutic opportunities aiming to attenuate the burden of viral infections. Our review supports the emerging concept that cellular and viral‐encoded miRNAs might be broadly implicated in human respiratory viral infections, with either positive or negative effects on virus life cycle. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.