Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections
Over the last two decades, the field of microRNA (miRNA) research has grown significantly. MiRNAs are a class of short, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Thereby, miRNAs regulate various essential biological processes including immunity. Dysregula...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Roxanne Pillay Pragalathan Naidoo Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana |
| author_facet | Roxanne Pillay Pragalathan Naidoo Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana |
| author_sort | Roxanne Pillay |
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| description | Over the last two decades, the field of microRNA (miRNA) research has grown significantly. MiRNAs are a class of short, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Thereby, miRNAs regulate various essential biological processes including immunity. Dysregulated miRNAs are associated with various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Recently co-infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has become a focus of study. Both pathogens can profoundly influence host immunity, particularly in under-resourced and co-endemic regions. It is well known that STHs induce immunomodulatory responses that have bystander effects on unrelated conditions. Typically, STHs induce T-helper 2 (Th2) and immunomodulatory responses, which may dampen the proinflammatory T-helper 1 (Th1) immune responses triggered by HSV-2. However, the extent to which STH co-infection influences the host immune response to HSV-2 is not well understood. Moreover, little is known about how miRNAs shape the immune response to STH/HSV-2 co-infection. In this article, we explore the potential influence that STH co-infection may have on host immunity to HSV-2. Because STH and HSV-2 infections are widespread and disproportionately affect vulnerable and impoverished countries, it is important to consider how STHs may impact HSV-2 immunity. Specifically, we explore how miRNAs contribute to both helminth and HSV-2 infections and discuss how miRNAs may mediate STH/HSV-2 co-infections. Insight into miRNA-mediated immune responses may further improve our understanding of the potential impact of STH/HSV-2 co-infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f3ece3db85b4b2c8ef830daa8b6da5d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-9721 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-2f3ece3db85b4b2c8ef830daa8b6da5d2025-01-24T13:29:13ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-01-01131610.3390/diseases13010006Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-InfectionsRoxanne Pillay0Pragalathan Naidoo1Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, Durban 4031, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South AfricaDivision of Research Capacity Development, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South AfricaOver the last two decades, the field of microRNA (miRNA) research has grown significantly. MiRNAs are a class of short, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Thereby, miRNAs regulate various essential biological processes including immunity. Dysregulated miRNAs are associated with various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Recently co-infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has become a focus of study. Both pathogens can profoundly influence host immunity, particularly in under-resourced and co-endemic regions. It is well known that STHs induce immunomodulatory responses that have bystander effects on unrelated conditions. Typically, STHs induce T-helper 2 (Th2) and immunomodulatory responses, which may dampen the proinflammatory T-helper 1 (Th1) immune responses triggered by HSV-2. However, the extent to which STH co-infection influences the host immune response to HSV-2 is not well understood. Moreover, little is known about how miRNAs shape the immune response to STH/HSV-2 co-infection. In this article, we explore the potential influence that STH co-infection may have on host immunity to HSV-2. Because STH and HSV-2 infections are widespread and disproportionately affect vulnerable and impoverished countries, it is important to consider how STHs may impact HSV-2 immunity. Specifically, we explore how miRNAs contribute to both helminth and HSV-2 infections and discuss how miRNAs may mediate STH/HSV-2 co-infections. Insight into miRNA-mediated immune responses may further improve our understanding of the potential impact of STH/HSV-2 co-infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/1/6microRNAssoil-transmitted helminthsherpes simplex virus-2co-infectionimmunological interactionshost immunity |
| spellingShingle | Roxanne Pillay Pragalathan Naidoo Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections Diseases microRNAs soil-transmitted helminths herpes simplex virus-2 co-infection immunological interactions host immunity |
| title | Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections |
| title_full | Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections |
| title_fullStr | Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections |
| title_short | Exploring microRNA-Mediated Immune Responses to Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Co-Infections |
| title_sort | exploring microrna mediated immune responses to soil transmitted helminth and herpes simplex virus type 2 co infections |
| topic | microRNAs soil-transmitted helminths herpes simplex virus-2 co-infection immunological interactions host immunity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/1/6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT roxannepillay exploringmicrornamediatedimmuneresponsestosoiltransmittedhelminthandherpessimplexvirustype2coinfections AT pragalathannaidoo exploringmicrornamediatedimmuneresponsestosoiltransmittedhelminthandherpessimplexvirustype2coinfections AT zilungilelmkhizekwitshana exploringmicrornamediatedimmuneresponsestosoiltransmittedhelminthandherpessimplexvirustype2coinfections |