The ESX-1 Virulence Factors Downregulate miR-147-3p in Mycobacterium marinum-Infected Macrophages

Abstract

As important virulence factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , EsxA and EsxB not only play a role in phagosome rupture and M. tuberculosis cytosolic translocation but also function as modulators of host immune responses by modulating numerous microRNAs (miRNAs). Recently, we have found that mycobacterial infection downregulated miR-148a-3p (now termed miR-148) in macrophages in an ESX-1-dependent manner. The upregulation of miR-148 reduced mycobacterial intracellular survival.