MicroRNA-221 controls expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in epithelial cells in response to Cryptosporidium parvum infection

► Cryptosporidium parvum infection induces ICAM-1 expression in host epithelial cells. ► Downregulation of microRNA-122 (miR-221) occurs in C. parvum-infected cells. ► miR-221 targets ICAM-1 and mediates C. parvum-induced ICAM-1 expression. ► Expression of ICAM-1 on infected epithelial cells facilitates Jurkat cell adherence.