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JCPyV microRNA in plasma inversely correlates with JCPyV seropositivity among long-term natalizumab-treated

Pabitra Basnyat1, Elina Virtanen2, Irina Elovaara3,4

  • 1Neuroimmunology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. pabitra.basnyat@uta.fi.

Journal of Neurovirology
|August 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma may indicate reactivation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab (NTZ). Lower 5p miRNA levels correlate with higher JCPyV antibody index, suggesting potential for PML risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Virology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Natalizumab (NTZ) treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) carries a risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
  • Current JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) serology-based risk stratification has limitations in reducing PML incidence.
  • Sensitive biomarkers are crucial for managing NTZ-associated PML risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the presence and prevalence of JCPyV microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma of NTZ-treated MS patients.
  • To explore the potential of JCPyV miRNAs as biomarkers for NTZ-associated PML risk.
  • To investigate the relationship between JCPyV miRNA expression and JCPyV antibody index.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of plasma samples from NTZ-treated MS patients, interferon-beta (IFN-β)-treated MS patients, and healthy controls (HCs).
  • Quantification of jcv-miR-J1-5p (5p miRNA) and jcv-miR-J1-3p (3p miRNA) expression.
  • Correlation analysis between 5p miRNA levels and anti-JCPyV antibody index.

Main Results:

  • The 5p miRNA was detected in 84% of NTZ-treated patients, 75% of IFN-β-treated patients, and 92% of HCs.
  • Relative 5p miRNA expression was lower in NTZ-treated patients compared to IFN-β-treated patients (p=0.027).
  • A significant inverse correlation was observed between 5p miRNA expression and anti-JCPyV antibody index in JCPyV seropositive NTZ-treated patients (r=-0.756; p=0.002).

Conclusions:

  • JCPyV miRNAs in plasma may be associated with JCPyV reactivation and enhanced viral replication in NTZ-treated MS patients.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for JCPyV miRNAs in assessing PML risk.
  • Further studies with larger datasets, including PML patients, are needed to confirm clinical relevance and predictive potential.
Keywords:
Anti-JCPyV antibody indexBiomarkerIFN-βJCPyV miRNAMultiple sclerosisNatalizumabPML

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