MicroRNAs: Small Molecules with Significant Functions, Particularly in the Context of Viral Hepatitis B and C Infection

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Megahed F.; Tabll A.; Atta S.; Ragheb A.; Smolic R.; Petrovic A.; Smolic M.

Journal: Medicina (Lithuania)

Publisher: MDPI

Publication Date: 15 January 2023

Volume / Issue: Volume 59 / Issue 1

Article No.: 173

ISSN: 1010660X

DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010173

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 36676797

Document Type: Review

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Megahed F., Nucleic Acid Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnological Research Institute (GEBRI), City for Scientific Researches and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, 21934, Egypt; Tabll A., Microbial Biotechnology Department, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt, Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo, 11517, Egypt; Atta S., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, 12411, Egypt; Ragheb A., Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo, 11517, Egypt; Smolic R., Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of Osijek, Crkvena 21, Osijek, 31000, Croatia; Petrovic A., Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of Osijek, Crkvena 21, Osijek, 31000, Croatia; Smolic M., Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of Osijek, Crkvena 21, Osijek, 31000, Croatia

Abstract

A MicroRNA (miRNA) is defined as a small molecule of non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Its molecular size is about 20 nucleotides (nt), and it acts on gene expression’s regulation at the post-transcription level through binding to the 3’untranslated regions (UTR), coding sequences, or 5’UTR of the target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which leads to the suppression or degradation of the mRNA. In recent years, a huge evolution has identified the origin and function of miRNAs, focusing on their important effects in research and clinical applications. For example, microRNAs are key players in HCV infection and have important host cellular factors required for HCV replication and cell growth. Altered expression of miRNAs affects the pathogenicity associated with HCV infection through regulating different signaling pathways that control HCV/immunity interactions, proliferation, and cell death. On the other hand, circulating miRNAs can be used as novel biomarkers and diagnostic tools for HCV pathogenesis and early therapeutic response. Moreover, microRNAs (miRNA) have been involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression and advanced antiviral discovery. They regulate HBV/HCV replication and pathogenesis with different pathways involving facilitation, inhibition, activation of the immune system (innate and adaptive), and epigenetic modifications. In this short review, we will discuss how microRNAs can be used as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools, especially for chronic hepatitis viruses (HBV and HCV), as well as how they could be used as new biomarkers during infection and advanced treatment. © 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

biomarkers; diagnosis; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus; microRNAs; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Humans; biological marker; microRNA; genetics; human; metabolism

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 9

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