microRNAs in Circulation Are Altered in Response to Influenza A Virus Infection in Humans

Abstract

Changes in microRNA expression have been detected in vitro in influenza infected cells, yet little is known about them in patients. microRNA profiling was performed on whole blood of H1N1 patients to identify signature microRNAs to better understand the gene regulation involved and possibly improve diagnosis. Total RNA extracted from blood samples of influenza infected patients and healthy controls were subjected to microRNA microarray. Expression profiles of circulating microRNAs were altered and distinctly different in influenza patients. Expression of highly dysregulated microRNAs were validated using quantitative PCR. Fourteen highly dysregulated miRNAs, identified from the blood of influenza infected patients, provided a clear distinction between infected and healthy individuals. Of these, expression of miR-1260, -26a, -335*, -576-3p, -628-3p and -664 were consistently dysregulated in both whole blood and H1N1 infected cells. Potential host and viral gene targets were identified and the impact of microRNA dysregulation on the host proteome was studied. Consequences of their altered expression were extrapolated to changes in the host proteome expression. These highly dysregulated microRNAs may have crucial roles in influenza pathogenesis and are potential biomarkers of influenza.

microRNAs Regulate Host Immune Response and Pathogenesis During Influenza Infection in Rhesus Macaques

“…Additionally, our studies revealed that miR-20a and miR-451 were upregulated at 28 dpi in PBMCs as previously documented in serum (collected within 14 days from onset of infection) of patients infected with H7N9 influenza and at 8 h following in vitro H1N1 influenza infection of murine DCs, respectively (35,48,56). Our studies also showed elevated levels of miR-146b, which has previously been observed in whole blood (collected within 2 weeks from onset of infection) of patients infected with H1N1 (43). Finally, we identified changes in miRNAs during H1N1 infection not previously reported, including the downregulation of miR-34c and upregulation of miR-129, miR-132, miR-138, and miR-192 in the BAL.…”

Dichotomous miR expression and immune responses following primary blood-stage malaria

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Plasma Post-operative miR-21 Expression in the Prognosis of Gastric Cancers

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