title: MicroRNA miR-J1-5p as a potential biomarker for JC virus infection in the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  JC virus (JCV), a human polyomavirus that causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), has been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). However, determination of JCV infection and its role in carcinogenesis has been challenging, highlighting the need for better diagnostic strategies for this virus. JCV-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified and shown to negatively regulate oncogenic JCV T-Ag. Herein, we determined the pattern of JCV miRNA expression in clinical specimens from healthy subjects and CRC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  JCV miRNA expression was validated in CRC cell lines transfected with the JCV T-Ag. Results were confirmed using CRC tissues that were expressed T-Ag. Expression of JCV-specific miR-J1-5p was measured in fresh stool samples from healthy volunteers, and samples from fecal occult blood test kits from healthy subject, and patients with colorectal neoplasms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  JCV miR-J1-5p was detected in JCV-transfected, but not vector-transfected, CRC cells, and was stable between cell passages. MiR-J1-5p was present in all six JCV T-Ag+ CRC samples. Surprisingly, JCV miRNA was detectable in all normal tissues, but the expression was much lower in CRC tissues. Similarly, miR-J1-5p expression was present in all fecal samples, but expression was lower in CRCs compared to controls or adenoma patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  JC virus-specific miR-J1-5p miRNA is a potential biomarker for viral infection, and the lower expression in patients with colonic neoplasia highlights its biological role regulating oncogenic T-Ag expression in CRC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  JCV-specific miRNA is a candidate for the development of a non-invasive screening test, as well as therapeutic intervention for JCV-associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Link
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America; Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clinic, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balaguer
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagasaka
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: C Richard
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral