Small non-coding RNAs as modulators of viral infections and host-pathogen interactions

RNAs are complex molecules that, in addition to encoding proteins, act as non-coding RNAs with regulatory functions in various cellular processes such as translation control, post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, splicing, and the stability and degradation of other RNAs. RNAs organize into complex secondary structures, forming hairpins and loops through hydrogen bonds, as well as tertiary pseudoknot structures through base stacking, and are rarely found in a linearized form. From those non-coding RNAs, small RNAs are of noteworthy relevance, being categorized into structural RNAs and regulatory RNAs: the latter being RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which are associated with Argonaute protein family and exert regulation of gene expression through the RNA-induced Silencing Complex (RISC).In viral infections, small non-coding RNAs might act as proviral or antiviral factors, modulating host gene expression in response to the infection or directly interacting with viral genomes.Due to the importance of such class of regulatory mechanism of gene expression, this Research Topic aims to explore the comprehensive role of small non-coding RNAs in viral infections. We are especially interested in studies that broaden our understanding of how viruses modulate expression of miRNA, siRNA and piRNAs, the contribution of such RNAs to immune evasion and viral replication, the role of such RNAs as prognostics of disease progression, diagnostics and therapeutical approaches using or targeting small RNAs and contributions about virus-host interactions regarding those molecules in non-human hosts, such as insect vectors. We welcome and strongly encourage submissions with emphasis on neglected, emergent or re-emergent viruses or focused on underrepresented viral families of epidemiological, clinical or veterinary interest, as well as translational studies involving multi-host comparison, i.e. studies that investigate response or mechanisms in insect vectors and mammal hosts.We hope with this topic expand the knowledge and give insights into the dynamics of gene regulation and host-pathogen interactions driven by small non-coding RNAs as upon viral infections and potentially open insights for new therapeutical, diagnostics and biomarker detection strategies.We kindly and strongly encourage submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following subjects:- Viral replication regulation by miRNAs, siRNAs and/or piRNAs in humans or mammal host models.- miRNAs, siRNAs and/or piRNAs as biomarkers of disease progression.- New diagnostic strategies involving detection of miRNA, siRNA and/or piRNA.- Therapeutical strategies targeting miRNA, siRNAs and/or piRNAs upon viral infections in cellular and/or animal models.- Viral replication regulation by miRNAs, siRNAs and/or piRNAs in insect/invertebrate vectors.- Crosstalk of small RNAs from vectors and hosts and their role in vector competence and/or host susceptibility to viral infections.- Modulation of intra-host competition in mammals or insect/invertebrate vectors by miRNAs, siRNAs and/or piRNAs in establishment or suppression of co-infections. Topic editors: Shelton Bradrick, Victor Geddes, João Paulo Pereira De Almeida Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79204/small-non-coding-rnas-as-modulators-of-viral-infections-and-host-pathogen-interactions