Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the β-herpesvirus family and infects 40–90% of the adult population worldwide. HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals but causes serious problems in immunocompromised people. We restricted this narrative review (PubMed, January 2022) to demonstrate the interaction and molecular mechanisms between the virus and host immune cells with a focus on HCMV-encoded miRNAs. We found a series of HCMV-encoded miRNAs (e.g., miR-UL112 and miR-UL148D) are explicitly involved in the regulation of viral DNA replication, immune evasion, as well as host cell fate. MiRNA-targeted therapies have been explored for the treatment of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and hepatitis C virus infection. It is feasible to develop an alternative vaccine to restart peripheral immunity or to inhibit HCMV activity, which may contribute to the antiviral intervention for serious HCMV-related diseases.
Highlights
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a β-herpesvirus with double-stranded DNA, and it has the largest genome among its family members
Due to the inhibited expression of these proteins, the three HCMV-encoded miRNAs effectively reduced the secretion of cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 in HCMV-infected cells, which could facilitate the formation of the virion assembly compartment for efficient production of infectious virus
HCMV is prevalent worldwide and causes lifelong latent infection, while it mainly contributes to the adverse prognosis of immunosuppressed patients upon reactivation
Summary
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a β-herpesvirus with double-stranded DNA, and it has the largest genome (approximately 230 kb) among its family members. Among the PRRs, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the most extensively studied and are largely expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and NK cells These immune cells specialize in sensing pathogens and producing cytokines. Natural killer Group 2 member D (NKG2D) belongs to the C-type lectin-like activating receptor family that is expressed ubiquitously on all NK cells to mediate immune surveillance on virus-infected cells after binding with NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs). The HCMV UL16and UL142-encoding proteins have high affinity for NKG2DLs and retain them in the cis Golgi other than on the cell surface of the infected cells to avoid NK cell recognition [31] In this context, stress-induced cellular ligands MIC-A, MIC-B, and ULBPs, which are recognized by the activating receptor NKG2D, will be overexpressed upon viral infection, and they are central in NK-mediated immune responses against HCMV [32]. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity triggered by CD16 increased significantly with short-term cmvIL-10 exposure [41]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
