An In-Depth Approach to the Associations between MicroRNAs and Viral Load in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Scientists study the molecular activities of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, in vivo experiments are scarce. Some microRNAs are HBV-related, but their exact mechanisms are unknown. Our study provides an up-to-date view of the associations between microRNAs and HBV-DNA levels in chronically infected individuals. We conducted this large-scale research on five databases according to PRISMA guidance. Joanna Briggs Institute tools and Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment scores helped with quality evaluations. R 4.2.2 performed statistical computations for the meta-analysis. DIANA-microT 2023 and g:Profiler enriched the predictions of liver genes associated with miR-122 and miR-192-5p. From the 1313 records, we eliminated those irrelevant to our theme, non-article methodologies, non-English entries, and duplicates. We assessed associations between microRNAs and HBV-DNA levels. Overall, the pooled correlations favoured the general idea of the connection between non-coding molecules and viremia levels. MiR-122 and miR-192-5p were the most researched microRNAs, significantly associated with HBV-DNA levels. The connections between miR-122, miR-192-5p, let-7, miR-215, miR-320, and viral loads need further in vivo assessment. To conclude, this study evaluates systematically, for the first time, the correlations between non-coding molecules and viremia levels in patients. Our meta-analysis emphasizes potentially important pathways toward new inhibitors of the viral replication cycle.