microRNA expression profiling in human diploid cells infected with enterovirus 71 or coxsackievirus A16

Abstract

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 are the main causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), but their pathogenicity has been shown to exhibit wide diversity. Methods: To illuminate the diverse pathogenicity of EV71 and CA16, microRNA (miRNA) profiles of human diploid cells infected with these two viruses were analyzed using an eukaryotic miRNA expression array. Results: Unlike EV71, directly stimulating an effective immune response, CA16 infection failed to effectively activate cytokines or the B-/T-cell immune response by repressing the expression of miRNAs. Similarly, the cytokines and antiviral-specific immune responses induced by CA16 infection were lower than those induced by EV71 in rhesus macaques. Individual miRNAs induced by EV71 and CA16 infections modulate the immune-associated target genes and lead to a distinct immune response. Conclusion: Our results provide experimental evidence focused on the miRNAs induced during EV71 and CA16 infection of human fibroblasts, which suggests some meaningful clues for explanation the wide diversity of immune responses induced by the two viruses.