MicroRNAs respond to the inflammatory responses induced by
RNA virus infection. In this study, we investigated the specific
microRNA profile in the peripheral blood of infants infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Blood specimens were analyzed using
microRNA microarrays, followed by quantitative RT-PCR. A specific
microRNA profile in the peripheral blood of RSV-infected infants was identified for the first time. MiR-106b-5p, miR-20b-5p, and miR-342-3p were upregulated, while miR-320e, miR-320d, miR-877-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-92b-5p were downregulated. Pathway analysis indicated that the dysregulated
microRNAs were involved in inflammatory and immune responses, including Wnt, TGF-β,
insulin, and T and B cell receptor signaling. These results demonstrate that
RSV infection associates with a distinct
microRNA fingerprint and suggest that RSV induces inflammatory responses in infants.