Modulatory Effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Circulating p53, miR-21, and miR-125b: Any Diagnostic Implication?

Abstract

Identifying immunocompromised women who are at risk of developing cervical cancer remains a challenge for clinicians. In an effort to identify the role of HIV in cervical carcinogenesis, this study evaluated the levels of normally downregulated oncomirs (miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-182, and miR-200c) and normally upregulated tumor suppressors (miR-let-7b, miR-125b, miR-143, miR-145, and p53 expression) associated with cervical cancer in the serum of women living with HIV (HIV+) and without HIV (HIV. Method: This case-control study included 173 women; confirmed HIV+ (n = 103) and HIV− (n = 70). Serum levels of miRNAs and p53 were determined using reverse transcriptase PCR. t-test and Pearson’s correlation analyses were carried out on the generated data. Result: A higher level of miR-21 was observed among HIV+ women compared with their HIV− counterpart (p = 0.028), whereas lower levels of miR-125, and p53 gene were observed among HIV+ women compared with HIV− women at p = 0.050 and 0.049, respectively. Significant direct relationships were observed between miR-21 and other oncomirs (p < 0.05) among HIV+ women. Conclusion: This study revealed that HIV contributes to cervical carcinogenesis by modulating circulating levels of miR-21, p53, and miR-125b. It suggests that these biomarkers could be used to identify at high risk for developing cervical cancer.