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MicroRNAs may play role in predicting liver injury in HIV patients

In a cohort of patients with HIV, microRNAs, including miRNA-122, miRNA-22 and miRNA-34a, accurately predicted liver injury, according to new study data. 

Researchers, including Jonel Trebicka, MD, PhD, of the University of Bonn in Germany, drew out total RNA from 335 serum samples of patients with HIV and 22 healthy controls using the Qiazol reagent. MiRNA-122, miRNA-22 and miRNA-34a levels were measured from the serum samples of the patients and 19 controls. Polymerase chain reaction array analyses were performed from serum samples of eight patients with HIV, eight coinfected with HIV and HCV, six with HCV and three healthy controls.

Jonel Trebicka

In the HIV/HCV-coinfected samples, the miRNA pattern had an altered expression of 57 (48 miRNA upregulated, nine downregulated) and 33 miRNA compared with HCV-monoinfected patients, according to the research. In the coinfected patients, miRNA-122, miRNA-22 and miRNA-34a showed signs of the strongest upregulation compared with the controls. However, miRNA-34a had higher levels in HCV-monoinfected patients, whereas miRNA-22 levels were higher in HIV-monoinfected patients. MiRNA-34a levels were higher among patients who consumed or abused alcohol compared with patients who did not. A positive correlation was observed between the miRNA-34a levels and alcohol consumption (P<.05), according to the research.     

Multivariate analyses showed that all three miRNAs were correlated with liver injury based on aspartate aminotransferase levels higher than twice the upper limit of normal (miRNA-122; P=.012, miRNA-34a; P=.001 and miRNA-22; P=.048), together with HCV (P<.001) and hepatitis B virus infection (P=.02). The miRNA-122 and miRNA-22 levels were associated with relevant fibrosis, with the miRNA-122 being an independent predictor or relevant fibrosis in the HIV patients.

“This study highlights the role of circulating miRNA in HIV infection with regard to liver injury,” Trebicka told Healio.com/Hepatology. “Moreover, it suggests that an upregulation of specific miRNA provides information on the etiology of liver injury in patients with HIV-infection. Therefore, these investigated circulating miRNA might be distinct biomarkers for liver injury in HIV-infected patients, and may also open opportunities in further more pathophysiological research.” – by Melinda Stevens

Disclosure: One researcher reports receiving honoraria and consulting fees from AbbVie, Bionor, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer, Gilead, Janssen, Tibotec, Vertex and ViiV. Another researcher advises for AbbVie.