Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus microRNA sequence analysis and KS risk in a European AIDS-KS case control study.
BACKGROUND
We recently identified polymorphisms in Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-encoded microRNA (miRNA) sequences from clinical subjects. Here, we examine whether any of these may contribute to KS risk in a European AIDS-KS case-control study.


METHODS
KSHV load in peripheral blood was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Samples that had detectable viral loads were used to amplify the 2.8-kb miRNA encoding region plus a 646-bp fragment of the K12/T0.7 gene. Additionally, we characterized an 840-bp fragment of the K1 gene to determine KSHV subtypes.


RESULTS
KSHV DNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 49.6% of case patients and 6.8% of controls, and viral loads tended to be higher in case patients. Sequences from the miRNA-encoding regions were conserved overall, but distinct polymorphisms were detected, some of which occurred in primary miRNAs, pre-miRNAs, or mature miRNAs.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with KS were more likely to have detectable viral loads than were controls without disease. Despite high conservation in KSHV miRNA-encoded sequences, polymorphisms were observed, including some that have been reported elsewhere. Some polymorphisms could affect mature miRNA processing and appear to be associated with KS risk.
Marshall
Vickie
V
Viral Oncology Section, SAIC-Frederick, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
Martró
Elisa
E
Labo
Nazzarena
N
Ray
Alex
A
Wang
Dian
D
Mbisa
Georginia
G
Bagni
Rachel K
RK
Volfovsky
Natalia
N
Casabona
Jordi
J
Whitby
Denise
D
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017421:Sequence Analysis; D019562:Viral Load
D004279:DNA, Viral; D035683:MicroRNAs