| Abstract
Cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified as a key player in the posttranscriptional
regulation of cellular-genes regulatory pathways. They also emerged
as a significant regulator of the immune response. In particular, miR-146a acts
as an importance modulator of function and differentiation cells of the innate
and adaptive immunity. It has been associated with disorder including cancer
and viral infections. Given its significance in the regulation of key cellular processes,
it is not surprising which virus infection have found ways to dysregulation
of miRNAs. miR-146a has been identified in exosomes (exosomal
miR-146a). After the exosomes release from donor cells, they are taken up by
the recipient cell and probably the exosomal miR-146a is able to modulate the
antiviral response in the recipient cell and result in making them more
susceptible to virus infection. In this review, we discuss recent reports regarding
miR-146a expression levels, target genes, function, and contributing role in
the pathogenesis of the viral infection and provide a clue to develop the new
therapeutic and preventive strategies for viral disease in the future.
KEYWORDS
exosome, microRNA-146, viral infection |