Dysregulated Expression of miR-222 and miR-15a in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia: Associations with Torque Teno Virus and Cytomegalovirus Infections

Mahdiyar  Iravani Saadi; Nasrin  Noshadi; Fakhroddin  Hosseini; Soodabeh  Zare; Ramin  Yaghobi; Zahed  Karimi; Zahra  Ghahramani; Mani  Ramzi

doi:10.18502/ijhoscr.v19i4.19985

Mahdiyar Iravani Saadi Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Nasrin Noshadi Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Fakhroddin Hosseini Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Soodabeh Zare Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Ramin Yaghobi Shiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Zahed Karimi Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Zahra Ghahramani Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mani Ramzi Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijhoscr.v19i4.19985

Keywords: Transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia; MicroRNA; Expression levels; Viral infection prevalence; miRNA

Abstract

Background: Beta-thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by reduced synthesis of the beta-globin chain. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and have been implicated in beta-thalassemia. To explore dysregulated miR-222 and miR-15a expression in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and assess their potential associations with Torque Teno Virus and cytomegalovirus infections.

Materials and Methods: This study included 57 TDT patients registered at the Thalassemia Clinic affiliated with the Hematology Research Center, Shiraz, Iran. The expression levels of miR-222 and miR-15a were analyzed using the real-time SYBR Green PCR method. TTV and CMV infections were detected by analyzing the presence of their genomic DNA using an in-house semi-nested PCR protocol.

Results: The expression level of miR-222 was significantly up-regulated (47.5-fold, P≤0.001) in TDT patients compared to healthy controls. However, the expression of miR-15a in TDT patients was slightly decreased compared to healthy controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.193). TTV infection was observed in 21.1% of TDT patients, while CMV infection was detected in 5.2% of the patients. Although miR-222 and miR-15a gene expression levels were higher in TTV-positive patients compared to TTV-negative patients, the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.926 and P=0.243, respectively).

Conclusion: MiR-222 was up-regulated in TDT patients, but miR-15a did not show a significant difference. TTV and CMV infections were detected, but their association with miR expression was not significant, possibly due to the small sample size. Larger studies are needed for a more comprehensive evaluation.