RSV Induced Changes in miRNA Expression in Lung

Abstract

The ability of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to exist within the host cells of the lung depends on its ability to evade host antiviral defenses. Indeed, suppression of host cell immune defenses is not restricted to RSV but is a common mechanism of survival employed by most viruses. Viruses utilize a number of mechanisms to evade detection by the immune response including translational repression of host cell mRNA. One mechanism to alter translation of a specific mRNA is through binding of microRNAs (miRNAs) within the 3’untranslated region (3’-UTR) of the target gene. Here, we will discuss mechanisms of translational repression by miRNAs during viral infection and will provide data on changes in miRNA expression during RSV infection of the lung.