Human cytomegalovirus-encoded MicroRNAs: A master regulator of latent infection

Abualgasim Elgaili Abdalla; Mahjoob Osman Mahjoob; Khalid Omer Abdalla Abosalif; Hasan Ejaz; Ayman Ali Mohammed Alameen; Tilal Elsaman

doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104119

Human cytomegalovirus-encoded MicroRNAs: A master regulator of latent infection

Infect Genet Evol. 2020 Mar:78:104119. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104119. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Authors

Abualgasim Elgaili Abdalla¹, Mahjoob Osman Mahjoob², Khalid Omer Abdalla Abosalif³, Hasan Ejaz⁴, Ayman Ali Mohammed Alameen⁵, Tilal Elsaman⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan. Electronic address: aealseddig@ju.edu.sa.
² Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
³ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
⁴ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.

PMID: 31740397
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104119

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can modulate the host cell microenvironment to cause latent infection and is therefore considered a major health concern in immunocompromised patients. HCMV-encoded microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as a key player in regulating the expression of the host cell and viral genes to induce latent infection. HCMV-encoded miRs can inhibit antiviral immune responses, such as proinflammatory mediators production, antigenic presentation, and apoptosis. In addition, HCMV miRs can reduce viral DNA replication. In this review, we describe the mechanisms underlying HCMV-encoded miR-mediated regulation of latent infection that may be exploited for future designing novel miRs-directed therapies.

Keywords: Expression; Human cytomegalovirus; Immune response; Latent infection; MicroRNA; Targeting.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cytomegalovirus / genetics*
Cytomegalovirus / pathogenicity*
Cytomegalovirus / physiology
Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
DNA Replication
Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural / virology
Latent Infection / virology*
MicroRNAs / genetics*
RNA, Viral
Virus Latency / genetics

Substances

MicroRNAs
RNA, Viral