microRNAs-key players in host-parasite interactions

MicroRNAs as Important Players in Host–Adenovirus Interactions

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful regulators of gene expression and fine-tuning genes in all tissues. Cellular miRNAs can control 100s of biologic processes (e.g., morphogenesis of embryonic structures, differentiation of tissue-specific cells, and metabolic control in specific cell types) and have been involved in the regulation of nearly all cellular pathways. Inherently to their involvement in...

MicroRNAs as Important Players in Host-hepatitis B Virus Interactions

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a major public health problem, causes acute and chronic hepatitis that is often complicated by liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenic mechanisms of HBV-related liver disease are not well understood, and the current licensed therapies are not effective in permanently clearing virus from the circulation. In recent years, the role of micro-r...

Oncogenic MicroRNAs: Key Players in Malignant Transformation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of non-coding RNAs that exert pivotal roles in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs are involved in many biological processes and slight modulations in their expression have been correlated with the occurrence of different diseases. In particular, alterations in the expression of miRNAs with oncogenic or tumor suppresso...

Parasite-host Interactions

Holobiont–Holobiont Interactions: Redefining Host–Parasite Interactions

The term holobiont (Greek, from holos, whole; bios, life; -ont, to be; whole unit of life) describes a long-term physical association between different living organisms [1]. Theoretically, this definition encompasses all symbiotic associations (along the mutualism–parasitism continuum) spanning all taxa. However, in most cases, the term holobiont is restricted to the host and its associated mut...