MicroRNAs in the Host-Apicomplexan Parasites Interactions: A Review of Immunopathological Aspects

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs, have been detected in a variety of organisms ranging from ancient unicellular eukaryotes to mammals. They have been associated with numerous molecular mechanisms involving developmental, physiological and pathological changes of cells and tissues. Despite the fact that miRNA-silencing mechanisms appear to be absent in some Apicomplexan species, an increasing number of studies have reported a role for miRNAs in host-parasite interactions. Host miRNA expression can change following parasite infection and the consequences can lead, for instance, to parasite clearance. In this context, the immune system signaling appears to have a crucial role.

Keywords: Apicomplexa; cell host; immune response; microRNA; parasites.

Figure 1

Host miRNAs response upon Apicomplexa parasite challenge. (A) C. parvum infection: in infected mice epithelial cells, the parasite alters NF-κB-responsive miRNAs. Induction of expression, observed for miR-21 and miR-27b blocks their respective mRNAs, PDCD4 and KSPR4. Downregulation of KSRP4 modulates iNOS levels (dashed arrow). Decreased levels of let-7 and miR-221 promote upregulation of the TLR4 and ICAM-1 mRNAs, while downregulation of miR-98 results in SOCS4/CIS increased levels. These host miRNAs promote regulation of the TLR/NF-κB signaling and also target NF-κB-regulated immune or inflammatory genes. TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4); MAL (MyD88-adapter-like); MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88); PCDP4 (programmed cell death protein 4); KSRP4 (KH-type splicing regulatory protein 4); ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1); NOS2 (inducible nitric oxide synthase 2). (B) T. gondii infection: common and strain-specific mice miRNA expression is mediated by NF-κB signaling and STAT3 transactivation. The STAT3 transcription factor binds and regulates expression of miR-30c, miR-27b, miR-125, and miR-19, which in turn results in an anti-apoptosis response. Strain-specific miRNA expression could also be detected. Type I, II, and III strains are able to induce miR-155 (black arrow) whereas only the type II strain induces miR-146a expression (red arrow). Strains expressing type I or III ROP16 alleles suppress miR-146a (blue arrow). Deficiency of this miRNA is related with a better control of parasite burden and long-term survival in infected mice. (C,D) Plasmodium infection. (C) Development cycle of Plasmodium spp. begins with (1) sporozoites, the parasite forms injected into the vertebrate host skin by a mosquito, invasion of liver and development of (2) merozoites, forms that infect erythrocytes. (3) Male and female gametocytes are then generated by some intra-erythrocytic parasites and (4) taken up by a mosquito. Alterations in mosquito miRNAs occur as a defense mechanism against parasite invasion, resulting in reduced parasite development and transmission. On the other hand, in the human host bloodstream, P. falciparum infected sickle cells show upregulation of crucial miRNAs for parasite growth control. High levels of miR-451, let-7, and miR-223 negatively affect parasite growth. (D) In mice, potential regulatory roles for miRNAs in experimental severe malaria are highlighted by let-7i, miR-27a, and miR-150 (in brain), which were induced by P. berghei challenge. Endothelial liver cells upon P. chabaudi infection also display miRNA alterations, as evidenced by upregulation of miR-21 and miR-155.