Unique circulating microRNA profiles in epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Genetics

Background:

• Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the causative agent of Kaposi sarcoma (KS).
• Epidemic KS is the most common HIV-related malignancy globally, with significant morbidity and mortality due to a lack of early diagnostic assays.
• Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential biomarkers for disease detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile unique serum miRNAs in patients with epidemic KS.
• To establish baseline data for developing a noninvasive miRNA-based biomarker assay for epidemic KS.
• To identify potential miRNA biomarkers for latent and early-stage KS.

Main Methods:

• A comparative cross-sectional study involving 27 epidemic KS patients and 27 HIV-positive controls.
• Nested PCR was used to detect circulating HHV-8 DNA.
• miRNA library preparation and sequencing were performed on serum samples, analyzed using the miRge2 pipeline and EdgeR.

Main Results:

• 55.6% of epidemic KS patients tested positive for HHV-8 DNA, compared to 11.1% of controls.
• A unique miRNA expression signature was identified in epidemic KS patients, with 49 circulating miRNAs differentially expressed (41 upregulated, 8 downregulated).
• Upregulation of circulating miR-193a was observed in latent KS infection.

Conclusions:

• Unique circulating miRNA profiles distinguish epidemic KS patients from HIV-infected controls.
• Dysregulated miRNAs in epidemic KS patients have known roles in KS infection and latency.
• These findings highlight the potential of serum miRNAs as biomarkers for latent or active KS infection.