Hepatitis C virus and microRNAs: miRed in a host of possibilities.
It is well-established that the host microRNA (miRNA) milieu has a significant influence on the etiology of disease. In the context of viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), microRNAs have been shown to influence viral life cycles both directly, through interactions with the viral genome, and indirectly, through regulation of critical virus-associated host pathways. Several miRNA profiling studies have demonstrated that HCV infection aberrantly regulates a significant number of human miRNA. However, the biological relevance of these modulations remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent research that has shed light on the pro-viral and anti-viral roles of HCV-induced changes in human miRNA expression and their significance in the development of HCV related sequelae and response to therapy.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Life Sciences Division, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Ragunath.Singaravelu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Ragunath
R
Singaravelu
Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Rodney S
RS
Russell
Department of Medical Microbiology and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Katz Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
D Lorne
DL
Tyrrell
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Life Sciences Division, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: John.Pezacki@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
John Paul
JP
Pezacki
D000818:Animals; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D035683:MicroRNAs