title: Detection of JCPyV microRNA in blood and urine samples of multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab therapy.
abstract: Polyomavirus JC (JCPyV) reactivation and development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a health concern in multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab therapy. Here, the JCPyV microRNA-J1-3p and microRNA-J1-5p expressions and genomic variability were investigated in blood and urine samples of multiple sclerosis patients before and under natalizumab therapy and in healthy controls. The two JCPyV microRNAs were detected in the JCPyV-DNA-positive peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples and in the exosomes derived from plasma and urine obtained from JCPyV-DNA-positive and JCPyV-DNA-negative patients. In particular, the increased JCPyV microRNA expression in samples of multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab therapy was consistent with the high JCPyV-DNA positivity observed in these samples. Moreover, JCPyV microRNA genomic region showed few nucleotide differences in samples obtained from blood and urine of multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls. Overall, these data suggest a potential role of the JCPyV microRNA expression in counteracting the viral reactivation to maintain JCPyV asymptomatic persistence in the host.
authors: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Giovannelli
authors: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Martelli
authors: Division Neurology 2, Careggi University Hospital - University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Repice
authors: Division Neurology 2, Careggi University Hospital - University of Florence, Florence, Italy.|Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Massacesi
authors: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors: Alberta
authors: A
authors: Azzi
authors: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134, Florence, Italy. simone.giannecchini@unifi.it.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Giannecchini
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D000069442:Natalizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D035683:MicroRNAs; D000069442:Natalizumab; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: Exosomes; JCPyV; MicroRNA expression; Multiple sclerosis; Natalizumab; PML