title: The Role of microRNAs in Bovine Infection and Immunity.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that are recognized as critical regulators of immune gene expression during infection. Many immunologically significant human miRNAs have been found to be conserved in agriculturally important species, including cattle. Discovering how bovine miRNAs mediate the immune defense during infection is critical to understanding the etiology of the most prevalent bovine diseases. Here, we review current knowledge of miRNAs in the bovine genome, and discuss the advances in understanding of miRNAs as regulators of immune cell function, and bovine immune response activation, regulation, and resolution. Finally, we consider the future perspectives on miRNAs in bovine viral disease, their role as potential biomarkers and in therapy.
authors.affiliation: Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany , Meath , Ireland ; School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lawless
authors.affiliation: Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany , Meath , Ireland ; School of Genetics and Microbiology, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vegh
authors.affiliation: School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Cliona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Farrelly
authors.affiliation: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace , Adelaide, SA , Australia ; School of Medicine, Flinders University , Bedford Park, SA , Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lynn
keywords: Bos taurus; bovine; immune system; miRNA; microRNA