Unique Circulating MicroRNA profiles in HIV Infection

• Published in: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)
• Main Authors: Narla, Venkata, Bhakta, Nirav, Freedman, Jane E, Tanriverdi, Kahraman, Maka, Kristinalisa, Deeks, Steven G, Ganz, Peter, Hsue, Priscilla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.12.2018
• ISSN: 1944-7884
• DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001851

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. We aimed to determine the association between extracellular miRNAs and HIV infection. Single-center, cross-sectional study METHODS:: We analyzed the expression of 192 plasma-derived miRNAs in 69 HIV-infected individuals and 24 uninfected controls using TaqMan miRNA Assays and a high throughput Real-Time PCR instrument (Fluidigm). False discovery rate (FDR) was applied. HIV-infected individuals and controls were similar in age, gender, and traditional risk factors. Among those with HIV, 72.5% were on antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) and 64% had an undetectable viral load. Twenty-nine miRNAs were differentially expressed in the plasma of HIV-infected individuals compared to controls (p<0.05, FDR <0.15). Nineteen miRNAs were differentially expressed among HIV+ subjects on ARVs, HIV+ subjects not on ARVs, and HIV- subjects (p<0.05 and FDR<0.15). Thirty-four miRNAs were differentially expressed between HIV- subjects and elite controllers (i.e. suppressed viral loads despite absence of ARVs; p<0.05 and FDR<0.15). These 34 miRNAs included miRs-29c, 146b, 223, and 382, which were previously reported to have intracellular roles in HIV latency, as well as miRs-126, 145, and let-7, which were previously shown to be differentially expressed in coronary artery disease (CAD) among uninfected individuals. We demonstrate a unique expression profile of 29 miRNAs in HIV+ subjects and 34 miRNAs in elite controllers as compared to HIV- subjects. These miRNA signatures may be useful in further elucidating mechanisms of viral and immunological control and may have diagnostic or prognostic value in HIV-associated CAD.