Expression of mir-221, mir-29a, mir-155 and mir-146ain peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in HIV-1 infected patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM In patients infected by HIV-1, some cellular biomarkers such as microRNAs have an important function in the suppression or progression of the disease. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the expression of mir-221, mir-29a, mir-155, and mir-146a in HIV-1 infected patients. METHODS The miRNAs of 60 HIV-1 infected patients (sample group) and 20 healthy controls (normal group) were extracted from their peripheral mononuclear cells. We used TaqMan-based Real-time PCR for evaluation of expression mir-155,mir221, mir-29a and mir-146a by the comparative method. To evaluate differences among the data, one-way ANOVA was used. The expression of mir-155 andmir-146a in HIV-1 patients (sample group) was down-regulated in comparison with healthy controls (normal group) with a confidence value, (p <0.001). Also, in the sample group the expression of mir221 was downregulatedin compared to the normal group (p <0.001). RESULTS There was no significant difference in expression mi-29a in sample and control group. Inthe sample group, mir-221 hadlow expression and mir-29a had a high expression, respectively. According to the results of the current study and comparable studies, it seems that the microRNA has an important role in the progression or suppression of HIV-1 infection. CONCLUSION However, the data showed, besides others cellular and viral factor, we could use these miRNAs as a biomarker. However, the experts in themiRNAs field are in general agreement that more investigation is needed to use miRNAs as a biomarker in HIV.