Expression Profiles of Exosomal MicroRNAs from HEV- and HCV-Infected Blood Donors and Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Exosomes seem to play an important role in hepatits C virus (HCV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection by shielding their cargo from the host immune responses, with microRNAs being key exosomal components. Little is known about their involvement in a mixed HCV/HEV infection or at the early stages of infection, such as in asymptomatic blood donors (BDs). To obtain preliminary data, we have compared the exosomal microRNA expression profiles in four each of HCV RNA-positive, HEV RNA-positive and negative blood donors and four patients, one of whom was a rare patient with HCV/HEV co-infection. Exosomes were purified from sera by a combination of a precipitation and density gradient centrifugation and exosomal microRNA was analysed using Taqman array cards. Out of 33 deregulated miRNAs, miR-885-5p and miR-365 were upregulated in HCV BDs, miR-627-5p was downregulated in HCV BD and miR-221 was downregulated in HCV patients and BDs. In HEV infection, miR-526b appeared specifically downregulated. Six miRNAs (miR-628-3p, miR-194, miR-151-3p, miR-512-3p, miR-335 and miR-590) indicated a potential involvement in both infections. First time preliminary data on pre- and post-antiviral treatment exosomal microRNA profiles of the HEV/HCV co-infected patient revealed a pool of 77 upregulated and 43 downregulated miRNAs to be further investigated for their potential roles in these viral infections.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by microRNA profiling of the upper respiratory tract

“…Intriguingly, the most downregulated miRNA in nasal swabs from COVID-19 patients, the relatively poorly-characterised miR-3065-3p, is also down-regulated in inflamed placental tissue and significantly reduced by LPS stimulation [ 15 ]. Additionally, other miRNAs responsive to SARS-CoV-2 infection has no known links to inflammation but have been observed in infection [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Recent Progress on Exosomes in RNA Virus Infection

“…Similarly, HEV particles are individually covered by lipid membrane, which is similar to the exosomal membrane and enveloped viruses, and are released from infected cells through multivesicular body sorting and the cellular exosomal pathway [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. Furthermore, exosomes from HEV-infected cells contain encapsidated HEV RNA, miRNA, cholesterol, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin, and ceramides, which are critical for the virus entry [ 80 , 81 ]. Moreover, exosomes also protect HEV particles from immune response, which leads to the widespread circulation of the virus in its host [ 80 , 81 ].…”

“…Furthermore, exosomes from HEV-infected cells contain encapsidated HEV RNA, miRNA, cholesterol, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin, and ceramides, which are critical for the virus entry [ 80 , 81 ]. Moreover, exosomes also protect HEV particles from immune response, which leads to the widespread circulation of the virus in its host [ 80 , 81 ].…”

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by microRNA profiling of the upper respiratory tract

“…Intriguingly, the most downregulated miRNA in nasal swabs from COVID-19 patients, the relatively poorlycharacterised miR-3065-3p, is also down-regulated in in amed placental tissue and signi cantly reduced by LPS stimulation [13]. Additionally, other miRNAs responsive to SARS-CoV-2 infection has no known links to in ammation but have been observed in infection [14,15].…”