The Role of MicroRNAs in Viral and Bacterial Infections

Abstract

In 2024, the Nobel Prize committee recognized the groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), highlighting their fundamental role in gene regulation. Since their identification, extensive research has established that miRNAs are critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis, with their dysregulation contributing to various diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. While much of the focus has been on miRNAs in cancer, growing evidence suggests that they also play a pivotal role in viral and bacterial infections. In this review, we examine both the host miRNA response to infection and pathogen-derived small regulatory RNAs, highlighting key players such as miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155. Finally, we discuss future research directions, emphasizing the need for functional studies, deeper exploration of bacterial and viral small RNAs, and the investigation of cross-kingdom RNA exchange.