Abstract
Echinococcosis are considered to be potentially lethal zoonotic diseases that cause serious damage to hosts. The metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus can result in causing the alveolar and cystic echinococcoses, respectively. Recent studies have shown that non-coding RNAs are widely expressed in Echinococcus spp. and hosts. In this review, the two main types of non-coding RNAs—long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs)—and the wide-scale involvement of these molecules in these parasites and their hosts were discussed. The expression pattern of miRNAs in Echinococcus spp. is species- and developmental stage-specific. Furthermore, common miRNAs were detected in three Echinococcus spp. and their intermediate hosts. Here, we primarily focus on recent insights from transcriptome studies, the expression patterns of miRNAs and lncRNAs, and miRNA-related databases and techniques that are used to investigate miRNAs in Echinococcus and echinococcosis. This review provides new avenues for screening therapeutic and diagnostic markers.
Highlights
The metacestode form of Echinococcus spp. cestode parasites can result in the echinococcosis in the visceral organs of intermediate hosts
Recent research results have shown that circulating non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), can be stably detected in the blood of hosts that were infected with E. granulosus and E. multilocularis [19,43,56] (Table 3)
MiRNAs have multiple target genes, including mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs; this may be key in determining the common miRNAs involved in the hosts response to infection with Echinococcus spp., which exhibit different expression levels, functions, and targets in host sheep and mouse models
Summary
The metacestode form of Echinococcus spp. cestode parasites can result in the echinococcosis in the visceral organs (such as the liver and lung) of intermediate hosts. Recent research results have shown that circulating non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, can be stably detected in the blood of hosts that were infected with E. granulosus and E. multilocularis [19,43,56] (Table 3) These stably circulating non-coding RNAs have the potential to provide us with an understanding of their roles in the host-parasite interaction, development, and growth; and, could potentially serve as diagnostic targets and therapeutic candidates. MiRNAs (e.g., miR-181 [61], miR-30 [62], miR-365 [63], miR-378 [64], miR-449 [65], miR-99 [66], miR-130 [67], and miR-16 [68]) have multiple target genes, including mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs; this may be key in determining the common miRNAs involved in the hosts response to infection with Echinococcus spp., which exhibit different expression levels, functions, and targets in host sheep and mouse models. We describe the mechanisms and potential uses of these miRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis
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