CHAPTER 4: MicroRNAs and Mycobacterial Infections in Humans and Domestic Animals

Mycobacterial infections still represent a major burden on human and animal health, particularly in the context of human and bovine tuberculosis caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis, respectively. It is now well understood that differentiation of immune cells into their various lineages is influenced by microRNA transcriptional regulatory networks, and that dynamic and orchestrated control of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles is critical in mounting an effective host immune response to infection. In this chapter, we review studies that demonstrate how mycobacterial infections alter host miRNA expression profiles to evade immune responses and promote pathogen survival. We also discuss the potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications of miRNAs for mycobacterial infections.