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Published on: November 2, 2013
Distinct expression profile of HCMV encoded miRNAs in plasma from oral lichen planus patients
Meng Ding1,2, Xiang Wang3, Cheng Wang1,2
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Advance Research Institute of Life Sciences, Nanjing University School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China.
Background:
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. The aetiology and molecular mechanisms of OLP remain unclear. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a causal factor in the development of various diseases, but the clinical relevance of HCMV in OLP has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods:
In the present study, we firstly examined twenty-three HCMV-encoded microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in plasma from training set that including 21 OLP patients and 18 healthy controls using RT-qPCR technology. Dysregulated miRNAs were subsequently confirmed in another larger cohort refereed as validation set consisting of 40 OLP patients and 33 healthy controls. HCMV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) was also measured in an additional cohort of 13 OLP patients and 12 control subjects. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses, luciferase reporter assay and western blotting were also performed to predict and verify the direct potential targets of HCMV-encoded miRNAs.
Results:
The RT-qPCR results showed that the plasma levels of five HCMV-encoded miRNAs including hcmv-miR-UL112-3p, hcmv-miR-UL22a-5p, hcmv-miR-UL148d, hcmv-miR-UL36-5p and hcmv-miR-UL59 were significantly increased in OLP patients in both training and validation sets. HCMV DNA in PBLs was also significantly higher in OLP patients than in control subjects. Additionally, by using a combination of luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, we demonstrated that cytomegalovirus UL16-binding protein 1, a molecule that mediates the killing of virus-infected cells by natural killer cells, is a direct target of hcmv-miR-UL59.
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate a distinct expression pattern of HCMV-encoded miRNAs in OLP patients, which may provide insight into the relationship between HCMV infection and OLP, and warrants additional study in the diagnosis and aetiology of OLP.
Insights
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is linked to oral lichen planus (OLP). Researchers found elevated HCMV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) in OLP patients, suggesting a role for HCMV in OLP development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune condition with unclear origins.
- The role of Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in OLP pathogenesis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of HCMV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) in OLP patients.
- To explore the potential link between HCMV infection and OLP development.
Main Methods:
- RT-qPCR was used to analyze plasma miRNA profiles in OLP patients and healthy controls.
- HCMV DNA levels in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were measured.
- Bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assays, and western blotting were employed to identify miRNA targets.
Main Results:
- Five specific HCMV-encoded miRNAs were significantly elevated in OLP patients.
- HCMV DNA was more prevalent in PBLs of OLP patients compared to controls.
- Cytomegalovirus UL16-binding protein 1 was identified as a direct target of hcmv-miR-UL59.
Conclusions:
- A distinct HCMV-encoded miRNA expression pattern is observed in OLP patients.
- These findings suggest a potential association between HCMV infection and OLP.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of HCMV in OLP etiology and diagnosis.
