Detection of polyomavirus microRNA-5p expression in saliva shortly after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) of polyomavirus (PyV) are present in several biological fluids and are suggested to be relevant viral factors for monitoring its persistence. Aim: To evaluate the effect of an immunosuppressive regimen on the status of PyV-miRNA-5p in the oral cavity. Materials and Methods: The JCPyV, BKPyV, MCPyV miRNA-5p were investigated in paired saliva and plasma samples obtained from 23 patients before and shortly after renal-transplantation by using real-time RT-PCR. Results: Overall, within a short-time after transplantation, patients exhibited decreased numbers of leukocyte and lymphocyte as well as low levels of creatinine. During the clinical management of the patients, a significant amount of saliva samples were positive for JCPyV and BKPyV miRNA-5p (range: 26%-91%) compared to paired plasma samples (range: 9%-35%). Among the two polyomaviruses showing positive expression of miRNA-5p, BKPyV presented the highest positivity in saliva (91%) and MCPyV-miRNA-5p was constantly negative in both saliva and plasma samples. Compared to the time before transplantation, a significant reduction in the expression of JCPyV-miRNA-5p was observed in saliva samples obtained after transplantation. Conclusions: Altogether, these data suggest that additional investigations of polyomavirus miRNA-5p in saliva should be performed shortly after renal-transplantation to evaluate the potential role in early viral reactivation.

The Oncogenic Effects, Pathways, and Target Molecules of JC Polyoma Virus T Antigen in Cancer Cells

“…The measurement of miR-5p in urine might be useful as a biomarker to monitor JCPyV infection and to better identify the possible risk of developing PML in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis ( 37 ). JC-miR-5p in saliva was used to evaluate JCPyV infection after renal transplantation ( 38 ) Link et al ( 39 ) found miR-5p in either tumor or fecal samples was a potential biomarker for JCPyV infection in colorectal cancer. With regard to its transcription, miRNA in cancer was found in a T-antigen-knockdown lens tumor.…”

Diagnostic Value of JC Polyomavirus Viruria, Viremia, Serostatus and microRNA Expression in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Undergoing Immunosuppressive Treatment

“…Thus, the expression of miR-J1 could be related to the progression of PML, but since they were also detected in the blood and urine of patients without PML and of healthy individuals [29,33,36], the expression of miR-J1 in these body fluids could be unrelated to the progression of PML. Although the diagnostic potential of JCPyV miRNAs has been proposed for JCPyV infection in the gastrointestinal tract and other anatomical districts [34,37], the translational significance and clinical value of these miRNAs remain to be determined.…”