Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Front Immunol. 2019 Apr 3;10:695. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00695. eCollection 2019.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression post transcriptionally. In healthy individuals, miRNAs contribute to maintaining gene expression homeostasis. However, the level of miRNAs expressed is markedly altered in different diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of such changes is being investigated, and thought to shape the immune system into the inflammatory autoimmune phenotype. Much is yet to be learned about the contribution of miRNAs in the molecular pathology of MS. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major risk factor for the development of MS. EBV encodes more than 40 miRNAs, most of which have been studied in the context of EBV associated cancers. These viral miRNAs regulate genes involved in cell apoptosis, antigen presentation and recognition, as well as B cell transformation. If EBV infection contributes to the pathology of MS, it is plausible that EBV miRNAs may be involved. Unfortunately, there are limited studies addressing how EBV miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of MS. This review summarizes what has been reported regarding cellular and viral miRNA profiles in MS and proposes possible interactions between the two in the development of MS.
微小 RNA（miRNAs）是一种小型非编码 RNA，可在后转录水平调节基因表达。在健康个体中，miRNAs 有助于维持基因表达的稳态。然而，在包括多发性硬化症（MS）在内的不同疾病中，miRNAs 的表达水平明显改变。正在研究这种变化的影响，并认为其将免疫系统塑造成炎症自身免疫表型。miRNAs 在 MS 的分子病理学中的作用还有待进一步了解。爱泼斯坦-巴尔病毒（EBV）感染是 MS 发展的主要危险因素。EBV 编码超过 40 种 miRNAs，其中大多数在 EBV 相关癌症的背景下进行了研究。这些病毒 miRNAs 调节涉及细胞凋亡、抗原呈递和识别以及 B 细胞转化的基因。如果 EBV 感染有助于 MS 的病理学，那么 EBV miRNAs 可能参与其中是合理的。不幸的是，关于 EBV miRNAs 如何参与 MS 发病机制的研究有限。本文综述了关于 MS 中细胞和病毒 miRNA 谱的报道，并提出了两者在 MS 发展过程中可能存在的相互作用。
