Delivery of microRNAs by Extracellular Vesicles in Viral Infections: Could the News be Packaged?

• Published in: Cells (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 8; no. 6; p. 611
• Main Authors: Yoshikawa, Fabio Seiti Yamada, Teixeira, Franciane Mouradian Emidio, Sato, Maria Notomi, Oliveira, Luanda Mara da Silva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 18-06-2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cell Communication - physiology; Cell interactions; DNA virus; Exosomes - metabolism; Extracellular vesicles; Extracellular Vesicles - genetics; Extracellular Vesicles - metabolism; Extracellular Vesicles - physiology; Humans; Lipids; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - metabolism; MicroRNAs - therapeutic use; miRNA; miRNAs; Review; RNA virus; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Therapeutic applications; Viral infections; Virus Diseases - metabolism; Viruses; extracellular vesicles; miRNAs; RNA virus; DNA virus
• ISSN: 2073-4409; 2073-4409
• DOI: 10.3390/cells8060611

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by various cells and recently have attracted attention because they constitute a refined system of cell-cell communication. EVs deliver a diverse array of biomolecules including messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins and lipids, and they can be used as potential biomarkers in normal and pathological conditions. The cargo of EVs is a snapshot of the donor cell profile; thus, in viral infections, EVs produced by infected cells could be a central player in disease pathogenesis. In this context, miRNAs incorporated into EVs can affect the immune recognition of viruses and promote or restrict their replication in target cells. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the roles played by EV-delivered miRNAs in viral infections and discuss the potential consequences for the host response. The full understanding of the functions of EVs and miRNAs can turn into useful biomarkers for infection detection and monitoring and/or uncover potential therapeutic targets.