The Role of microRNAs in the Infection by T. gondii in Humans

Abstract

MicroRNAs are molecules belonging to an evolutionarily conserved family of small non-coding RNAs, which act on post-transcriptional gene regulation, causing messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or inhibiting mRNA translation into proteins. These molecules represent potential biomarkers for diagnosis, non-invasive prognosis, and monitoring the development of the disease. Moreover, they may provide additional information on the pathophysiology of parasitic infections and guide strategies for treatment. The Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies the levels of microRNAs and mRNAs in infected host cells by modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses, facilitating its survival within the host. Some studies have shown that microRNAs are promising molecular markers for developing diagnostic tools for human toxoplasmosis. MicroRNAs can be detected in human specimens collected using non-invasive procedures. changes in the circulating host microRNAs have been associated with T. gondii infection in mice and ocular toxoplasmosis in humans. Besides, microRNAs can be amplified from samples using sensitive and molecular-specific approaches such as real-time PCR. This review presents recent findings of the role that microRNAs play during T. gondii infection and discuss their potential use of these small nuclei acid molecules to different approaches such as laboratory diagnosis, modulation of cell and tissue infected as other potential applications in human toxoplasmosis.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients: a review

“…the use of blood clot for quantitative PCR detection of T. gondii on the B1 and REP529 genes [ 41 ], nested PCR assay using B1 gene in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell [ 42 ], real-time isothermal amplification [ 43 ], metagenomic analysis through next-generation sequencing [ 44 ]. Blood microRNA (miR), especially miR-21-5p and miR-146a-5p, were modulated in cerebral toxoplasmosis and might offer a new marker for diagnostic purposes [ 45 ]. Increase in sensitivity was also observed when a high-resolution melting analysis technique employing RE gene was performed in human blood samples, equivalent to the TaqMan real-time PCR [ 45 ].…”

“…Blood microRNA (miR), especially miR-21-5p and miR-146a-5p, were modulated in cerebral toxoplasmosis and might offer a new marker for diagnostic purposes [ 45 ]. Increase in sensitivity was also observed when a high-resolution melting analysis technique employing RE gene was performed in human blood samples, equivalent to the TaqMan real-time PCR [ 45 ].…”

Comprehensive Overview of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced and Associated Diseases

“…T. gondii alters the expression of crucial miRNAs responsible for mounting an immune response in the host cell against the infection [140]. These miRNAs target many transcripts associated with immune functions, such as cytokines, chemokines, and interleukins.…”

The NF-κB Pathway: Modulation by Entamoeba histolytica and Other Protozoan Parasites

“…Unlike extracellular Eh, intracellular protozoan parasites have devised unique ways to modulate the innate immune response via inside-out signaling by manipulating the NF-kB pathway. T. gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect all nucleated cells of warm-blooded animals (Hou et al, 2019;Li et al, 2019;de Faria Junior et al, 2021) including wild, domesticated and companion animals (Dubey et al, 2012). It infects about onethird of the world's human population (Sasai et al, 2018).…”