Establishment of a miRNA profle in paediatric HIV¿1 patients and its potential as a biomarker for efectiveness of the combined antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

miRNAs have been extensively studied in pathological conditions, including viral infections, such as those provoked by HIV-1. Several cellular and circulating miRNAs are altered during HIV-1 infection, with either benefcial efects on host defenses or enhanced virus infectivity. Blood samples were collected in sterile EDTA tubes and plasma was separated and stored, as were PBMCs. RNA was isolated and reverse-transcribed. Finally, the miRNA gene expression profle was assessed using TaqMan Array Human microRNA Card A v2.0. A comprehensive statistical analysis was performed on the results obtained. This is the frst study on miRNAs in HIV-1 paediatric patients, and a miRNA profle diferentiating patients starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) at diferent times after HIV-1 diagnosis was established. Thirty-four miRNAs were observed to have diferent expression levels between the control group and the cART group. The data indicates the need to start cART as soon as possible after the establishment of HIV-1 infection to assure the best outcome possible. Finally, the selected 34 miRNAs may be used as biomarkers for prognosis and assessing therapy efectiveness. However, more research must be conducted to establish adequate quantitative correlations.