Elevated expression of miR-155 is associated with the differentiation of CD8+ T cells in patients with HIV-1

Abstract

The differentiation and response ofCD8+ T cells is vital in host defense against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). MicroRNA (miR)‑155 is an important regulator of T cell differentiation. However, the profile of miR-155 in HIV‑1 infected individuals and its association with CD8+ T cell differentiation remain to be fully elucidated. The present cross‑sectional study was performed involving 63 HIV‑1‑infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 31 HAART‑naïve patients and 35 healthy controls. The levels of miR‑155 in CD8+ T cells were detected using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Subsets of CD8+ T cell differentiation were detected using flow cytometry. The results revealed that the discord controllers and HAART‑naïve patients showed higher percentages of effector and effector memory cells, and lower percentages of naïve cells (P<0.05). The levels of miR‑155 in CD8+ T cells from the HIV‑1‑infected patients were higher, particularly in the discord controllers and HAART naïve patients (P<0.01). The expression levels of miR‑155 were positively correlated with the percentages of effector and effector memory CD8+ T cells, and negatively correlated with the percentages of naïve and central memory CD8+ T cells (P<0.01). Taken together, these findings suggested that the levels of miR‑155 in CD8+ T cells of patients with HIV-1 were increased and asso-ciated with CD8+ T cell differentiation.

miR‑155 induces endothelial cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in atherosclerosis by regulating Bmal1

“…Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease of the arterial wall characterized by the formation of white blood cell-rich plaques in the intimal layer of large and medium-sized arteries, is induced and maintained by the inflow, proliferation and activation of immune cells (33,34). miR-155 is reported to play a role in activating immune response and promoting T cell activation (35,36), indicating that miR-155 may be involved in the enhancement of the immune response during atherosclerosis. Therefore, we preliminarily confirmed that miR-155 promoted the development of atherosclerosis through targeted inhibition of Bmal1.…”

Vesicular MicroRNA as Potential Biomarkers of Viral Rebound

“…It is also described as a modulator of various aspects and steps of innate and adaptive immune responses [ 40 ]. Abundantly expressed in reactivated cells, its expression is required for optimal CD8+ T cell responses to counter viral replication [ 41 , 42 ]. The elevated expression of miR-146 and miR-155 in EVs of viremic patients could serve to inform and protect surrounding cells from HIV infection and help manage host-dependent factors and cellular pathways important for viral replication.…”

Non-Coding RNAs in HIV Infection, NeuroHIV, and Related Comorbidities

“…The expression of this miRNA is positively associated with the proportions of effector and effector memory CD8+ T cells, while showing an inverse correlation with the proportions of naïve and central memory CD8+ T cells. Overall, the upregulation of miRNA-155 expression in CD8+ T cells of PLWH is associated with the differentiation of these cells [ 85 ]. The NFκB:miRNA-155 pathway can stimulate an immune response in monocyte-derived macrophages following the suppression of CCL2 [ 86 ].…”