miRNAs are small noncoding RNA that play a crucial role in gene regulation by inhibiting translation or promoting mRNA degradation. Viruses themselves express miRNAs that can target either the host or viral mRNA transcriptome. Moreover, viral infection of cells causes a drastic change in host miRNAs. This complex interaction between the host and viruses often favors the virus to evade immune elimination and favors the establishment and maintenance of latency. In this review we discuss the function of both host and viral miRNAs in regulating herpes simplex virus pathogenesis and also discuss the prospect of using miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic tools.
Keywords: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE); Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK); Herpes simplex virus (HSV); Latency; Therapy; microRNAs.
Copyright © 2017 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.