Comparison of MicroRNAs Between Hepatocytes and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Involved in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Context Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as the main extrahepatic reservoir of HCV infection, play an important role in HCV progression. Numerous host microRNAs (miRNAs) are probably involved in HCV entry, the formation of viral infection, and the multi step development of chronic Hepatitis C infection. Several disease-associated miRNAs in PBMC have been reported in previous studies. To make a clear view of all miRNAs, which are involved in acquisition of hepatitis C virus infection, we aimed to do a literature review and categorized all miRNAs in different sources of HCV including serum, hepatocytes, and PBMCs. Methods Using main indexing sources, we searched about “hepatitis C” and “microRNA” in 51 papers, which the roles of different miRNAs involved in HCV infection from pathogenesis to experimental designs were studied. Conclusions We categorized a complete list of all miRNAs involved in the acquisition of the HCV infection based on the mechanism and source of detection of miRNAs. This may reflect the potential predictors of SVR using miRNAs especially detected in PBMCs versus normal hepatocytes.