The knowns and unknowns of helminth-host miRNA cross-kingdom communication

Sumaiya Chowdhury; Dayna Sais; Sheila Donnelly; Nham Tran

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.003

The knowns and unknowns of helminth-host miRNA cross-kingdom communication

Trends Parasitol. 2024 Feb;40(2):176-191. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.003. Epub 2023 Dec 26.

Authors

Sumaiya Chowdhury¹, Dayna Sais², Sheila Donnelly³, Nham Tran⁴

Affiliations

¹ The School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
² School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
³ The School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: sheila.donnelly@uts.edu.au.
⁴ School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: nham.tran@uts.edu.au.

PMID: 38151361
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.003

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that oversee gene modulation. They are integral to cellular functions and can migrate between species, leading to cross-kingdom gene suppression. Recent breakthroughs in helminth genome studies have sparked curiosity about helminth RNA regulators and their ability to regulate genes across species. Growing data indicate that helminth miRNAs have a significant impact on the host's immune system. Specific miRNAs from helminth parasites can merge with the host's miRNA system, implying that parasites could exploit their host's regulatory machinery and function. This review highlights the role of cross-kingdom helminth-derived miRNAs in the interplay between host and parasite, exploring potential routes for their uptake, processing, and consequences in host interaction.

Keywords: cross-kingdom gene regulation; helminth microRNAs; host–parasite interactions.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Helminths* / genetics
MicroRNAs* / genetics
Parasites* / genetics

Substances

MicroRNAs