title: The microRNA miR-29a is associated with human immunodeficiency virus latency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Latent reservoirs of HIV-1 provide a major challenge to its cure. There are increasing reports of interplay between HIV-1 replication and host miRNAs. Several host miRNAs, which potentially target the nef-3'LTR region of HIV-1 RNA, including miR-29a, are proposed to promote latency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used two established cellular models of HIV-1 latency - the U1 monocytic and J1.1 CD4+ T cell lines to show an inverse relationship between HIV-1 replication and miR-29a levels, which was mediated by the HIV-1 Nef protein. Using a miR-29a responsive luciferase reporter plasmid, an expression plasmid and an anti-miR29a LNA, we further demonstrate increased miR-29a levels during latency and reduced levels following active HIV replication. Finally, we show that miR-29a levels in the PBMCs and plasma of HIV infected persons also correlate inversely with latency and active viral replication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The levels of miR-29a correlate inversely with active HIV-1 replication in cell culture models and in HIV infected persons. This links miR-29a to viral latency and suggests another approach to activate and destroy latent HIV-1 reservoirs.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India. paresh.icgeb@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paresh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India. yunusbiotech@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Yunus
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India. shradsbapat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shraddha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bapat
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India. mthakar@nariindia.org.
authors.forename: Madhuri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thakar
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India. rgangakhedkar@nariindia.org.
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gangakhedkar
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India. jameelshahid@gmail.com.|Current Address: The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, Plot No. 19, 8-2-684/3 K/19, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, 500034, India. jameelshahid@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jameel
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D002460:Cell Line; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000821:virology; D017735:Virus Latency; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: C532045:MIRN29a microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs