MiR-155 and MiR-1275 relation with graft-versus-host disease and hepatitis B in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play many roles in basic biological processes such as virus proliferation and growth. In this research, we sought to investigate the prognostic and diagnostic potential of miR-155 and miR-1275 in the induction and severity of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (aGVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Additionally, we evaluated the association between these miRNAs' expression and HBV infection in patients with HSCT.

Method: In the present research, 135 consecutive patients receiving allogeneic HSCT were enrolled. We assessed the expression levels of miR-155 and miR-1275 in the peripheral blood of patients before and after HSCT by SYBR Green Real-Time PCR. In these patients Hepatitis B virus (HBV) load was also determined by HBV antibody assay.

Results: MiR-1275 and miR-155 expression levels were significantly lower in patients after HSCT. A significant association was found between miR-155 and miR-1275 expression levels in patients who developed aGvHD compared with those without aGvHD. We also found that only MiR-155 expression level was significantly increased in HBV + patients compared with HBV- patients.

Conclusion: Both MiR-1275 and miR-155 genes have the potential to be used as therapeutic targets in HSCT patients in the future. The expression level of both could be employed as biomarkers for aGvHD induction. Moreover, MiR-155 expression level was connected to the pathogenesis of HBV infection.