MiR-320a expression shows correlation with viral load in EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma samples

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status varies among BL subtypes. There are unresolved questions regarding the contribution of EBV, which is strongly associated with Burkitt lymphoma, to BL pathogenesis. Differences between EBV-positive and EBV-negative BL have been previously reported. A long-debated and studied topic is the differing origins of EBV-positive and EBV-negative BL cells. Studies have suggested that miRNAs, which are post-transcriptional elements involved in many pathways, play a role in this process. In our study, in silico analyses and a literature review were used to identify miRNAs potentially involved in lymphoma and B lymphocyte development pathways. Three miRNAs (miR-182, miR-320a, miR-144) targeting the BLIMP1 and XBP1 genes, which act as regulators in B lymphocyte development, and associated with lymphoma were identified. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 28 patients diagnosed with BL were included in the study. Real-Time PCR analysis of the BamHI-W and ApoB regions classified the samples into EBV-positive and EBV-negative groups. Expression analysis of the selected three miRNAs was performed using Real-Time PCR. Expression of miR-320a was observed in all samples, and a positive correlation was found between miR-320a expression and the viral load in the EBV-negative group. This study aimed to gain insights into the role of EBV in BL pathogenesis and has demonstrated the potential role of miR-320a. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that specific miRNAs are significantly associated with EBV in Burkitt lymphoma. These findings highlight the potential of targeting these miRNAs for therapeutic interventions and suggest further research into their mechanisms of action.