Understanding microRNAs in the context of bacterial versus viral infections.
Zaki Milhelm, Paul Chiroi, Antonia Harangus, Marina Dudea, Cristina Ciocan, Laura Pop, Cornelia Braicu, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
Author Information
Zaki Milhelm: County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Paul Chiroi: Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj -Napoca, Romania.
Antonia Harangus: Leon Daniello Pneumophthysiology Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Marina Dudea: 2 Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Cristina Ciocan: Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj -Napoca, Romania.
Laura Pop: Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj -Napoca, Romania.
Cornelia Braicu: Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj -Napoca, Romania.
Ioana Berindan-Neagoe: Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj -Napoca, Romania.
Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, have emerged as biomarkers for differentiating infection types due to their distinct expression profiles in response to pathogens. This study explores miRNA profiling using microarray technology to identify miRNA signatures that differentiate viral from bacterial infections in plasma samples. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from patients diagnosed with either bacterial (e.g., pneumonia) or viral (e.g., human papillomavirus) infections; control samples were used to evaluate altered miRNA pattern, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) analysis. Results: Microarray analysis revealed distinct miRNA expression patterns for bacterial and viral infections. In bacterial infections, 11 miRNAs were significantly downregulated compared to controls. Similarly, 12 miRNAs were downregulated in viral infections. Pathway analysis indicated that the altered miRNAs in bacterial infections were linked to immune and inflammatory pathways. In contrast, viral infections were associated with miRNAs involved in cellular stress and replication processes. Conclusion: Plasma miRNA profiling offers a promising diagnostic tool to differentiate bacterial from viral infections, providing specific miRNA signatures underlying immune responses. These findings represent a foundation for developing miRNA-based diagnostics, improving the precision of infection diagnosis, and paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.
