Ghani, E. (Esmaeel)

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    miRNAs in the regulation of mTOR signaling and host immune responses: the case of Leishmania infections
    (2022) Muro, A. (Antonio); Ali-Hassanzadeh, M. (Mohammad); Ghani, E. (Esmaeel); Karimazar, M. (Mohammadreza); Mansouri, R. (Reza); Manzano-Román, R. (Raúl); Nguewa, P.A. (Paul Alain); Rashidi, S. (Sajad)
    Micro RNAs (miRNAs), as regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, can respond to/or interact with cell signaling and affect the pathogenesis of different diseases/infections. The interaction/crosstalk of miRNAs with various cellular signaling networks including mTOR (as a master regulator of signaling relevant to different cellular mechanisms) might lead to the initiation, progression or restriction of certain disease processes. There are numerous studies that have identified the crosstalk between regulatory miRNA expression and the mTOR pathway (or mTOR signaling regulated by miRNAs) in different diseases which has a dual function in pathogenesis. However, the corresponding information in parasitic infections remains scarce. miRNAs have been suggested as specific targets for therapeutic strategies in several disorders such as parasitic infections. Thus, the targeting of miRNAs (as the modulators/regulators of mTOR) by small molecules and RNA-based therapeutics and consequently managing and modulating mTOR signaling and the downstream/related cell signaling/pathways might shed some light on the design of new therapeutic strategies against parasitic diseases, including Leishmaniasis. Accordingly, the present study attempts to highlight the importance of the crosstalk between regulatory miRNAs and mTOR signaling, and to review the relevant insights into parasitic infections by focusing specifically on Leishmania.
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    Highlighting the interplay of microRNAs from Leishmania parasites and infected-host cells
    (Cambridge University Press, 2021) Carrera-Silva, E.A. (Eugenio Antonio); Ali-Hassanzadeh, M. (Mohammad); Ghani, E. (Esmaeel); Karimazar, M. (Mohammadreza); Mansouri, R. (Reza); Barazesh, A. (Afshin); Nguewa, P.A. (Paul Alain); Rashidi, S. (Sajad)
    Leishmania parasites, the causative agents of leishmaniasis, are protozoan parasites with the ability to modify the signalling pathway and cell responses of their infected host cells. These parasite strategies alter the host cell environment and conditions favouring their replication, survival and pathogenesis. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are able to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression processes, these biomolecules can exert critical roles in controlling Leishmania-host cell interplay. Therefore, the identification of relevant miRNAs differentially expressed in Leishmania parasites as well as in infected cells, which affect the host fitness, could be critical to understand the infection biology, pathogenicity and immune response against these parasites. Accordingly, the current review aims to address the differentially expressed miRNAs in both, the parasite and infected host cells and how these biomolecules change cell signalling and host immune responses during infection. A deep understanding of these processes could provide novel guidelines and therapeutic strategies for managing and treating leishmaniasis.