title: Human Cytomegalovirus Impact on mir-146a Expression Levels in Kidney Transplant Patients.
abstract: It is known that several viruses can alter or modulate the transcriptional and translational activity of host cells to obtain a rapid and efficient replication. In particular, Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can interact with host cell at multiple levels, even modulating the expression of small signaling molecules called microRNAs. Especially, human miRNA mir-146a expression seems to be downregulated by HCMV infection in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate mir-146a expression in kidney transplant patients during HCMV infection. Sixty-four serum samples from 22 kidney transplant patients were analyzed and subdivided in three groups (high viral load, low viral load, and absent viral load). Mir-146a expression for each sample has been evaluated by a specific stem-loop Real Time polymerase chain reaction, and a statistical analysis was performed. Expression levels of mir-146a were similar among the three groups tested showing no statistical significant difference. Results obtained did not confirm data previously reported in literature, but the change of mir-146a expression levels has to be more clearly defined as it could not be directly caused by virus replication.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin , Medical School, Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gambarino
authors.affiliation: 2 Laboratory of Molecular Virology, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital , Novara, Italy .
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravanini
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin , Medical School, Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin , Medical School, Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Galliano
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin , Medical School, Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergallo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019562:Viral Load / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C542542:MIRN146 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D015774:Ganciclovir; D016559:Tacrolimus