Skip to content
2000
Volume 32, Issue 9
  • ISSN: 1381-6128
  • E-ISSN: 1873-4286

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the regulators of gene expression and several cellular processes related to the immune system. miRNAs during tuberculosis (TB) infection are considered regulatory factors for the host immune system. has a great ability to survive and multiply in phagocytic cells, which makes it difficult to treat. It can replicate through various cellular pathways. To establish the infection in the host cell, changes in the miRNA expression and increases survival capacity with high infectivity. miRNAs are widely used as biomarkers and therapeutic agents for tuberculosis. During infection, altered miRNA expressions can cause the progression of the disease and discriminate between latent and active TB infection. Due to their active involvement in disease progression, miRNAs may be utilized as potential biomarkers. Furthermore, the involvement of miRNA in autophagy and apoptosis modulation against highlights its potential for host-directed therapy. In this review article, we attempt to summarize the expression and role of various miRNAs in TB as immune modulators, differential activators between different phases of TB, including neuronal dysfunction in the brain, as therapeutic targets and diagnostic tools against TB.

© 2026 Bentham Science Publishers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
2025-07-11
2026-03-05

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/cpd/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. BhaskaranM. MohanM. MicroRNAs: History, biogenesis, and their evolving role in animal development and disease.Vet. Pathol.2014514759774 24045890
     [Google Scholar]
  2. HammondS.M. An overview of microRNAs.Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.201587314 25979468
     [Google Scholar]
  3. AchkarN.P. CambiagnoD.A. ManavellaP.A. miRNA biogenesis: A dynamic pathway.Trends Plant Sci.2016211210341044 27793495
     [Google Scholar]
  4. CaiY. YuX. HuS. YuJ. A brief review on the mechanisms of miRNA regulation.Genomics Proteomics Bioinf.200974147154 20172487
     [Google Scholar]
  5. LuT.X. RothenbergM.E. MicroRNA.J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.2018141412021207 29074454
     [Google Scholar]
  6. SabirN. HussainT. ShahS.Z.A. PeramoA. ZhaoD. ZhouX. miRNAs in tuberculosis: New avenues for diagnosis and host-directed therapy.Front. Microbiol.20189602 29651283
     [Google Scholar]
  7. DanielE.A. SathiyamaniB. ThiruvengadamK. VivekanandanS. VembuliH. HannaL.E. MicroRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta- analysis.Front. Immunol.202213954396 36238288
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Abd-El-FattahA.A. SadikN.A. ShakerO.G. AboulftouhM.L. Differential microRNAs expression in serum of patients with lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumonia.Cell Biochem. Biophys.2013673875884 23559272
     [Google Scholar]
  9. MishraS. YadavT. RaniV. Exploring miRNA based approaches in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol.2016981223 26481951
     [Google Scholar]
  10. KalkusovaK. TaborskaP. StakheevD. SmrzD. The role of miR-155 in antitumor immunity.Cancers202214215414 36358832
     [Google Scholar]
  11. SprenkleN.T. SerezaniC.H. PuaH.H. MicroRNAs in macrophages: Regulators of activation and function.J. Immunol.20232104359368 36724439
     [Google Scholar]
  12. National tuberculosis elimination program annual report. 2021. Available from: https://tbcindia.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=3587
  13. ThomasB.E. AdinarayananS. ManogaranC. SwaminathanS. Pulmonary tuberculosis among tribals in India: A systematic review & meta-analysis.Indian J. Med. Res.20151415614623 26139779
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Global tuberculosis Report 2024. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/global-programme-on-tuberculosis-and-lung-health/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024
  15. SinghS. ZahiruddinQ.S. LakhanpalS. Wealth-based inequalities in tuberculosis prevalence among households having children and young adults in India: Insights from Indian demographic and health surveys (2015-2021).BMC Infect. Dis.202525121 39755594
     [Google Scholar]
  16. BhatJ. SharmaR.K. YadavR. Persistent high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in a resource-limited setting: Threat to India’s TB free campaign.Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg.20221166564570 34891175
     [Google Scholar]
  17. HaasM.K. BelknapR.W. Diagnostic tests for latent tuberculosis infection.Clin. Chest Med.2019404829837 31731987
     [Google Scholar]
  18. ZellwegerJ.P. SotgiuG. CorradiM. DurandoP. The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI): Currently available tests, future developments, and perspectives to eliminate tuberculosis (TB).Med. Lav.2020111317018310.23749/mdl.v111i3.9983 32624559
     [Google Scholar]
  19. JeurlingS. CappelliL.C. Treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis.Curr. Opin. Rheumatol.202032331532010.1097/BOR.0000000000000701 32168068
     [Google Scholar]
  20. GongW. WuX. Differential diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis: A key to a successful tuberculosis control strategy.Front. Microbiol.20211274559210.3389/fmicb.2021.745592 34745048
     [Google Scholar]
  21. AhmadF. RaniA. AlamA. Macrophage: A cell with many faces and functions in tuberculosis.Front. Immunol.20221374779910.3389/fimmu.2022.747799 35603185
     [Google Scholar]
  22. SampathP. PeriyasamyK.M. RanganathanU.D. BethunaickanR. Monocyte and macrophage miRNA: Potent biomarker and target for host-directed therapy for tuberculosis.Front. Immunol.20211266720610.3389/fimmu.2021.667206 34248945
     [Google Scholar]
  23. KhannaA. SahaR. AhmadN. National TB elimination programme - What has changed.Indian J. Med. Microbiol.20234210310710.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.10.008 36402676
     [Google Scholar]
  24. BernardoB.C. OoiJ.Y.Y. LinR.C.Y. McMullenJ.R. miRNA therapeutics: A new class of drugs with potential therapeutic applications in the heart.Future Med. Chem.20157131771179210.4155/fmc.15.107 26399457
     [Google Scholar]
  25. AlipoorS.D. AdcockI.M. TabarsiP. FolkertsG. MortazE. MiRNAs in tuberculosis: Their decisive role in the fate of TB.Eur. J. Pharmacol.202088617352910.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173529 32919937
     [Google Scholar]
  26. OtterdalK. JanardhananJ. AstrupE. Increased endothelial and macrophage markers are associated with disease severity and mortality in scrub typhus.J. Infect.201469546246910.1016/j.jinf.2014.06.018 24995849
     [Google Scholar]
  27. SinigagliaA. PetaE. RiccettiS. VenkateswaranS. ManganelliR. BarzonL. Tuberculosis-associated MicroRNAs: From pathogenesis to disease biomarkers.Cells2020910216010.3390/cells9102160 32987746
     [Google Scholar]
  28. WangL. XiongY. FuB. MicroRNAs as immune regulators and biomarkers in tuberculosis.Front. Immunol.202213102747210.3389/fimmu.2022.1027472 36389769
     [Google Scholar]
  29. PietrykowskaH. SierockaI. ZielezinskiA. Biogenesis, conservation, and function of miRNA in liverworts.J. Exp. Bot.202273134528454510.1093/jxb/erac098 35275209
     [Google Scholar]
  30. SaliminejadK. KhorshidH.R.K. FardS.S. GhaffariS.H. An overview of microRNAs: Biology, functions, therapeutics, and analysis methods.J. Cell. Physiol.201923455451546510.1002/jcp.27486 30471116
     [Google Scholar]
  31. TafrihiM. HasheminasabE. MiRNAs: Biology, biogenesis, their web-based tools, and databases.MicroRNA201981427 30147022
     [Google Scholar]
  32. VishnoiA. RaniS. MiRNA biogenesis and regulation of diseases: An overview.Methods Mol. Biol.20171509110 27826912
     [Google Scholar]
  33. AwuhJ.A. FloT.H. Molecular basis of mycobacterial survival in macrophages.Cell. Mol. Life Sci.20177491625164810.1007/s00018‑016‑2422‑8 27866220
     [Google Scholar]
  34. JeeB. Understanding the early host immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Cent. Eur. J. Immunol.20204519910310.5114/ceji.2020.94711 32425687
     [Google Scholar]
  35. QuevalC.J. BroschR. SimeoneR. The macrophage: A disputed fortress in the battle against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Front. Microbiol.20178228410.3389/fmicb.2017.02284 29218036
     [Google Scholar]
  36. AstrupE. JanardhananJ. OtterdalK. Cytokine network in scrub typhus: High levels of interleukin-8 are associated with disease severity and mortality.PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis.201482e264810.1371/journal.pntd.0002648 24516677
     [Google Scholar]
  37. LiQ. LiJ. TianJ. IL-17 and IFN-γ production in peripheral blood following BCG vaccination and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in human.Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci.2012161420292036 23242733
     [Google Scholar]
  38. AbdallaA.E. EjazH. MahjoobM.O. Intelligent mechanisms of macrophage apoptosis subversion by Mycobacterium.Pathogens20209321810.3390/pathogens9030218 32188164
     [Google Scholar]
  39. KunduM. BasuJ. The role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in the regulation of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Front. Immunol.20211268796210.3389/fimmu.2021.687962 34248974
     [Google Scholar]
  40. LiY. ZhouD. RenY. Mir223 restrains autophagy and promotes CNS inflammation by targeting ATG16L1.Autophagy201915347849210.1080/15548627.2018.1522467 30208760
     [Google Scholar]
  41. ShariqM. QuadirN. AlamA. The exploitation of host autophagy and ubiquitin machinery by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in shaping immune responses and host defense during infection.Autophagy202319132310.1080/15548627.2021.2021495 35000542
     [Google Scholar]
  42. ZhaoY. WangZ. ZhangW. ZhangL. MicroRNAs play an essential role in autophagy regulation in various disease phenotypes.Biofactors201945684485610.1002/biof.1555 31418958
     [Google Scholar]
  43. ZhuH. WuH. LiuX. Regulation of autophagy by a beclin 1-targeted microRNA, miR-30a, in cancer cells.Autophagy20095681682310.4161/auto.9064 19535919
     [Google Scholar]
  44. SayedD. HeM. HongC. MicroRNA-21 is a downstream effector of AKT that mediates its antiapoptotic effects via suppression of Fas ligand.J. Biol. Chem.201028526202812029010.1074/jbc.M110.109207 20404348
     [Google Scholar]
  45. LinX. GuanH. HuangZ. Downregulation of Bcl-2 expression by miR-34a mediates palmitate-induced Min6 cells apoptosis.J. Diabetes Res.201420141710.1155/2014/258695 24829923
     [Google Scholar]
  46. GriecoG.E. CataldoD. CeccarelliE. Serum levels of miR-148a and miR-21-5p are increased in type 1 diabetic patients and correlated with markers of bone strength and metabolism.Noncoding RNA2018443710.3390/ncrna4040037 30486455
     [Google Scholar]
  47. SheedyF.J. Turning 21: Induction of miR-21 as a key switch in the inflammatory response.Front. Immunol.201561910.3389/fimmu.2015.00019 25688245
     [Google Scholar]
  48. ZhaoZ. HaoJ. LiX. ChenY. QiX. MiR‐21‐5p regulates mycobacterial survival and inflammatory responses by targeting Bcl‐2 and TLR4 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis ‐infected macrophages.FEBS Lett.2019593121326133510.1002/1873‑3468.13438 31090056
     [Google Scholar]
  49. AngriaN MassiMN BukhariA Expression of miRNA-29a-3p and IFN-γ as biomarkers in active and latent pulmonary tuberculosis.Ann Med Surg20228310478610.1016/j.amsu.2022.104786
     [Google Scholar]
  50. WaghV. UrhekarA. ModiD. Levels of microRNA miR-16 and miR-155 are altered in serum of patients with tuberculosis and associate with responses to therapy.Tuberculosis (Edinb.)2017102243010.1016/j.tube.2016.10.007 28061948
     [Google Scholar]
  51. KathirvelM. SaranyaS. MahadevanS. Expression levels of candidate circulating microRNAs in pediatric tuberculosis.Pathog. Glob. Health2020114526227010.1080/20477724.2020.1761140 32401176
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Corral-FernándezN.E. Cortes-GarcíaJ.D. BrunoR.S. Analysis of transcription factors, microRNAs and cytokines involved in T lymphocyte differentiation in patients with tuberculosis after directly observed treatment short-course.Tuberculosis (Edinb.)20171051810.1016/j.tube.2017.03.007 28610780
     [Google Scholar]
  53. YaretaJ. GalarzaM. CapristanoS. Differential expression of circulating micro-RNAs in patients with active and latent tuberculosis.Rev. Peru. Med. Exp. Salud Publica2020371515610.17843/rpmesp.2020.371.4468 32520192
     [Google Scholar]
  54. ZhangC. XiX. WangQ. The association between serum miR-155 and natural killer cells from tuberculosis patients.Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med.20158691689172 26309574
     [Google Scholar]
  55. SeddikiN. BrezarV. RuffinN. LévyY. SwaminathanS. Role of miR‐155 in the regulation of lymphocyte immune function and disease.Immunology20141421323810.1111/imm.12227 24303979
     [Google Scholar]
  56. YuL. FuH. ZhangH. The diagnostic value of combined detection of microRNA-155, TNF-α and IL-37 for active pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly.Am. J. Transl. Res.2022141290189024 36628207
     [Google Scholar]
  57. AggerbeckH. RuhwaldM. HoffS.T. C-Tb skin test to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children and HIV-infected adults: A phase 3 trial.PLoS One2018139e020455410.1371/journal.pone.0204554 30248152
     [Google Scholar]
  58. AraujoZ. Fernández de LarreaC. LópezD. ESAT-6 and Ag85A synthetic peptides as candidates for an immunodiagnostic test in children with a clinical suspicion of tuberculosis.Dis. Markers202120216673250 34306256
     [Google Scholar]
  59. LuoY. TangG. LinQ. Combination of mean spot sizes of ESAT-6 spot-forming cells and modified tuberculosis-specific antigen/phytohemagglutinin ratio of T-SPOT.TB assay in distinguishing between active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection.J. Infect.20208118189 32360883
     [Google Scholar]
  60. HaS.H. ChoiH. ParkJ.Y. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Secreted protein, ESAT-6, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced MMP-9 expression and inflammation through NF-κB and MAPK signaling in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.Inflammation20204315465 31720987
     [Google Scholar]
  61. BuhaI. Škodrić-TrifunovićV. AnđelkovićM. Association between active pulmonary tuberculosis and miRNA-146a: A preliminary study from Serbia.J. Infect. Dev. Ctries.202216813171322 36099375
     [Google Scholar]
  62. FengJ. BianQ. HeX. ZhangH. HeJ. A LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network based tuberculosis prediction model.Microb. Pathog.2021158105069 34175436
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Jabłońska-TrypućA. MatejczykM. RosochackiS. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the main extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes in collagen degradation, as a target for anticancer drugs.J. Enzyme Inhib. Med. Chem.201631117718310.1016/j.ijbiomac.2011.12.033
     [Google Scholar]
  64. LiP. MaY. WangY. Identification of miR-1293 potential target gene: TIMP-1.Mol. Cell. Biochem.20133841-216 23943285
     [Google Scholar]
  65. AbreuR. GiriP. QuinnF. Host-pathogen interaction as a novel target for host-directed therapies in tuberculosis.Front. Immunol.2020111553 32849525
     [Google Scholar]
  66. AbuhammadA. Cholesterol metabolism: A potential therapeutic target in Mycobacteria.Br. J. Pharmacol.20171741421942208 28002883
     [Google Scholar]
  67. DongW. NieX. ZhuH. Mycobacterial fatty acid catabolism is repressed by FdmR to sustain lipogenesis and virulence.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA202111816e2019305118 33853942
     [Google Scholar]
  68. LongN.P. AnhN.K. YenN.T.H. Comprehensive lipid and lipid-related gene investigations of host immune responses to characterize metabolism-centric biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis.Sci. Rep.202212113395 35927287
     [Google Scholar]
  69. ShenB. YangZ. HanS. Bta-miR-124a affects lipid metabolism by regulating PECR Gene.BioMed Res. Int.201920192596914 31467878
     [Google Scholar]
  70. AcharyaB. AcharyaA. GautamS. Advances in diagnosis of Tuberculosis: An update into molecular diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Mol. Biol. Rep.20204754065407510.1007/s11033‑020‑05413‑7 32248381
     [Google Scholar]
  71. Bautista-SánchezD. Arriaga-CanonC. Pedroza-TorresA. The promising role of miR-21 as a cancer biomarker and its importance in RNA-based therapeutics.Mol. Ther. Nucleic Acids20202040942010.1016/j.omtn.2020.03.003 32244168
     [Google Scholar]
  72. HayesC. ChayamaK. MicroRNAs as biomarkers for liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.Int. J. Mol. Sci.201617328010.3390/ijms17030280 26927063
     [Google Scholar]
  73. ZhengM.L. ZhouN.K. LuoC.H. MiRNA-155 and miRNA-132 as potential diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis: A preliminary study.Microb. Pathog.2016100788310.1016/j.micpath.2016.09.005 27616444
     [Google Scholar]
  74. AlipoorS.D. TabarsiP. VarahramM. Serum exosomal miRNAs are associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis.Dis. Markers201920191910.1155/2019/1907426 30886653
     [Google Scholar]
  75. ZhangX. GuoJ. FanS. Screening and identification of six serum microRNAs as novel potential combination biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis.PLoS One2013812e8107610.1371/journal.pone.0081076 24349033
     [Google Scholar]
  76. CaoD. WangJ. JiZ. Profiling the mRNA and miRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subjects with active tuberculosis.Infect. Drug Resist.2020134223423410.2147/IDR.S278705 33262617
     [Google Scholar]
  77. ChakrabartyS. KumarA. RaviprasadK. MallyaS. SatyamoorthyK. ChawlaK. Host and MTB genome encoded miRNA markers for diagnosis of tuberculosis.Tuberculosis (Edinb.)20191163743 31153517
     [Google Scholar]
  78. HeB. ZhaoZ. CaiQ. miRNA-based biomarkers, therapies, and resistance in Cancer.Int. J. Biol. Sci.202016142628264710.7150/ijbs.47203 32792861
     [Google Scholar]
  79. YangT. GeB. miRNAs in immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Cancer Lett.20184312230 29803788
     [Google Scholar]
  80. SinghA.K. GhoshM. KumarV. AggarwalS. PatilS.A. Interplay between miRNAs and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Diagnostic and therapeutic implications.Drug Discov. Today202126512451255 33497829
     [Google Scholar]
  81. TrivediA. SinghN. BhatS.A. GuptaP. KumarA. Redox biology of tuberculosis pathogenesis.Adv. Microb. Physiol.201260263324 22633061
     [Google Scholar]
  82. YasuiK. Immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the risk of biologic anti-TNF-α reagents.Pediatr. Rheumatol. Online J.20141245 25317081
     [Google Scholar]
  83. TahamtanA. Teymoori-RadM. NakstadB. SalimiV. Anti-inflammatory microRNAs and their potential for inflammatory diseases treatment.Front. Immunol.201891377 29988529
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
Loading
miRNA in Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Tuberculosis: Importance in Latent and Brain Associated Pathologies
Curr. Pharm. Des. 32, 666 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/0113816128362931250619113617
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): active and latent TB; brain TB pathogenesis; diagnostic; host-directed therapy; miRNA; therapeutic

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test