GSE158936
Genome-wide small RNA sequencing analysis of KSHV long-term-infected endothelial (LTC) and parental uninfected TIVE cells [miRNA-seq]
Purpose: To characterize genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the context of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-induced oncogenesis using isogenic cell lines for a Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) xenograft model: KSHV-infected human endothelial cells (LTC) that form tumors with properties closely resembling KS lesions in nude mice and uninfected parental (TIVE) cells. Methods: miRNA expression profiles of LTC and TIVE cells were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500. The mappable reads were aligned to the human genome and miRBase using Bowtie. Results: We show, through global cellular miRNA transcriptome analysis, that KSHV infection has a profound impact on the host miRNA expression landscape, up-regulating multiple miRNAs with oncogenic roles while down-regulating many tumor suppressive miRNAs, thereby contributing to KS oncogenesis. In particular, we identify miR-127-3p as one of the most significantly down-regulated miRNAs in LTC and restoring this miRNA inhibits KSHV-induced transformation, proliferation and tumorigenesis. Conclusions: This study provides a detailed analysis of the cellular miRNA transcriptome in LTC and TIVE cells using small RNA sequencing technology. We identify significant dysregulation of cellular miRNAs with important oncogenic or tumor-suppressive functions that may be physiologically relevant to KSHV oncogenesis. Moreover, our results identify a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor function for miR-127-3p in KS, indicating that its restoration offers potential as a therapeutic intervention for KS. Overall design: miRNA expression profiles of LTC and TIVE cells were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500.