| Abstract: Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are about 22-nucleotide, small, noncoding
RNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally. Helminth parasites
usually express a unique repertoire of genes, including miRNAs, across different
developmental stages with subtle regulatory mechanisms.
Objective: There is a necessity to investigate the involvement of miRNAs in the
development of parasites, host-parasite interaction, immune evasion and their abilities to
govern infection in hosts. MiRNAs present in helminth parasites have been summarized
in the current systematic review (SR).
Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Embase, and
Google Scholar search engine, were searched to identify helminth miRNA studies
published from February 1993 till December 2019. Only the published articles in English
were included in the study.
Results: A total of 1769 articles were preliminarily recorded. Following the strict inclusion
and exclusion criteria, 105 studies were included in this SR. Most of these studies
focused on the identification of miRNAs in helminth parasites and/or probing of
differentially expressed host miRNA profiles in specific relevant tissues, while 12 studies
aimed to detect parasite-derived miRNAs in host circulating system and 15 studies
characterized extracellular vesicles (EV)-derived miRNAs secreted by parasites.
Conclusion: In the current SR, information regarding all miRNAs expressed in helminth
parasites has been comprehensively provided and the utility of helminth parasitesderived
miRNAs in diagnosis and control of parasitic infections has been discussed.
Furthermore, functional studies on helminth-derived miRNAs have also been presented. |