MicroRNA mediated immune regulation of T helper cell differentiation and plasticity during visceral leishmaniasis infection: A computational approach

摘要

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical neglected disease caused by Leishmania donovani, results in significant mortality in Indian subcontinent. The protective immune response to Leishmania parasites is mediated by proliferation and differentiation of IFN-γ secreting CD4+ T helper (Th1) cells while IL-4 dependent CD4+ T helper (Th2) cell leads to aggravate VL pathogenesis. The plasticity of T cell proliferation and differentiation depends on microRNA mediated gene regulation which leads Th1/Th2 or Th17/Treg type of immune response during human VL.