The putative role of miR-146a in CVB infection. CVB3 triggers an inflammatory response by activating NF-κB through multiple inductions (dashed lines). The activated NF-κB translocates to the nucleus and binds to the genomic locus of miR-146a in chromosome 5 to initiate the transcription of the downstream RNA including primary miR-146a. After a mature process, miR-146a conversely suppresses the NF-κB pathway by doubly blocking TLR3 and TRAF6. Through the negative feedback by miR-146a, the inflammation caused by CVB can be precisely controlled to an adequate level so that the viruses can be eliminated but the tissue is not overinjured.
