MicroRNAs and hepatitis viruses

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules. They play a pivotal role in diverse domains such as infection, tumorigenesis, and immune reaction. As key regulators of most genes’ expression, they react at posttranscriptional level. It is increasingly clear that miRNAs are necessary for physiological and pathological processes. In the past few years, investigators gradually brought the concept of miRNA into studies of viral infection, including hepatitis viruses. The hepatitis B and C viruses are common causes of liver disease worldwide. It is very difficult to cure chronic hepatitis due to drug resistance during antivirus therapy. Elucidating the mechanisms of virus-host interactions in hepatitis B and C is very important in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This article reviews the current knowledge of viral hepatitis (B and C type) at the level of miRNA and tries to outline areas of potential studies.

Keywords

microRNA / hepatitis B virus / hepatitis C virus