Delivery of microRNAs by Extracellular Vesicles in Viral Infections: Could the News be Packaged?

Author(s)

Yamada Yoshikawa, Fabio Seiti ^[1] ; Emidio Teixeira, Franciane Mouradian ^[1] ; Sato, Maria Notomi ^[1] ; da Silva Oliveira, Luanda Mara ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Trop Med Inst, Lab Dermatol & Immunodeficiencies, Dept Dermatol, BR-05403000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CELLS; v. 8, n. 6 JUN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by various cells and recently have attracted attention because they constitute a refined system of cell-cell communication. EVs deliver a diverse array of biomolecules including messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins and lipids, and they can be used as potential biomarkers in normal and pathological conditions. The cargo of EVs is a snapshot of the donor cell profile; thus, in viral infections, EVs produced by infected cells could be a central player in disease pathogenesis. In this context, miRNAs incorporated into EVs can affect the immune recognition of viruses and promote or restrict their replication in target cells. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the roles played by EV-delivered miRNAs in viral infections and discuss the potential consequences for the host response. The full understanding of the functions of EVs and miRNAs can turn into useful biomarkers for infection detection and monitoring and/or uncover potential therapeutic targets. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16840-6 - Analysis of antiviral factors and exosomes in trophoblasts and newborn monocytes in Zika virus in vitro infection
• Grantee: Maria Notomi Sato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/10522-2 - Proteomic characterization of exosomes and their inflammatory miRNAs from extravillous trophoblast cells infected in vitro by Zika virus
• Grantee: Luanda Mara da Silva Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral