BECN1 and cancer: Figure 6 shows that MIR221 also inhibits BECN1. The increase of the expression of this miRNA has been linked with bacterial infection of L. pneumophila as well [62]. Although a direct connection between MIR221 and xenophagy has not been described, their potential connection could indicate that this microRNA plays a role in pathogen defense. MIR548E was associated with chronic Pseudomonas infection [63]. Low expression levels of MIR100 have also been associated with cancer, but no bacterial infection associations of the microRNA are currently known [64].