Abstract
Macrophages are crucial player in the defense against multiple intracellular pathogens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis which inflicted around one third of global population, can replicate and persist within macrophages. MicroRNAs, endogenous, small noncoding RNA, can regulate the expression of macrophages genes required for appropriate signaling. Mycobacteria can manipulate the expression of macrophages microRNAs to subvert cell response for its survival and persistence. This review summarized the progress of microRNAs in mycobacterial pathogenesis.
•miRNAs can enhance intracellular persistence of mycobacteria.•miRNAs can block activation of autophagy in mycobacteria infected macrophages.•miRNAs can inhibit the apoptosis of macrophages infected by mycobacteria.•miRNAs can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators by macrophages.