Pathological Mechanisms of Avian Viral Oncogenesis: The Central Role of MicroRNA

Avian oncogenic viruses represent a major cause of neoplastic and immunosuppressive diseases in poultry, leading to substantial economic losses worldwide and providing valuable models for studying virus-induced tumorigenesis. Among these viruses, Marek’s disease virus, avian leukosis virus, and reticuloendotheliosis virus induce lymphoid and hematopoietic malignancies through distinct yet convergent molecular mechanisms. Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs and their viral homologs are central regulators linking viral infection to oncogenic transformation, immune dysregulation, and pathological outcomes. This review provides an integrated overview of microRNA's role in the pathogenesis and pathology of avian oncogenic viral diseases, emphasizing its contributions to lymphocyte proliferation, survival, immune modulation, and tumor development. We discuss the unique case of Marek’s disease virus, in which a viral microRNA ortholog is indispensable for tumor induction in vivo, representing the first direct demonstration of a virus-encoded microRNA acting as a primary oncogenic factor in a natural host. In contrast, avian leukosis virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus exploit host microRNA pathways through insertional mutagenesis and NF-κB- mediated transcriptional activation, respectively, contributing to tumor progression in a context-dependent manner. The review further correlates molecular findings with gross and microscopic pathological lesions. It highlights how microRNA–driven regulatory networks shape disease severity, tissue tropism, and tumor morphology. So, these insights establish microRNA as a conserved molecular hub in avian viral oncogenesis and underscore its relevance for understanding viral tumor pathology, improving differential diagnosis, and advancing comparative oncology across species