title: Immunomodulating microRNAs of mycobacterial infections.
abstract: MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have emerged as key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by sequence-specific binding to target mRNAs. Some microRNAs block translation, while others promote mRNA degradation, leading to a reduction in protein availability. A single miRNA can potentially regulate the expression of multiple genes and their encoded proteins. Therefore, miRNAs can influence molecular signalling pathways and regulate many biological processes in health and disease. Upon infection, host cells rapidly change their transcriptional programs, including miRNA expression, as a response against the invading microorganism. Not surprisingly, pathogens can also alter the host miRNA profile to their own benefit, which is of major importance to scientists addressing high morbidity and mortality infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. In this review, we present recent findings on the miRNAs regulation of the host response against mycobacterial infections, providing new insights into host-pathogen interactions. Understanding these findings and its implications could reveal new opportunities for designing better diagnostic tools, therapies and more effective vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Medicines, iMed-ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: paulo.bettencourt@ndm.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Medicines, iMed-ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: dpires@ff.ulisboa.pt.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Medicines, iMed-ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: eanes@ff.ulisboa.pt.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anes
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Host–pathogen interactions; MicroRNAs; Mycobacteria; Tuberculosis