Integrated analysis of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA profiles reveals potential lncRNA functions during early HIV infection | JoVE Visualize

Integrated analysis of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA profiles reveals potential lncRNA functions during early HIV infection

Lianwei Ma^1,2,3,4, Hui Zhang^1,2,3,4, Yue Zhang^1,2,3,4

¹NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.

Journal of Translational Medicine|April 2, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in early HIV infection (EHI), impacting viral replication and immune activation. Understanding these lncRNAs offers new therapeutic strategies for HIV.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Virology
Immunology

Background:

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression but their role in early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (EHI) is unknown.
Investigating lncRNA function is critical for understanding HIV pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the expression and function of lncRNAs during early HIV infection.
To identify lncRNA-mediated regulatory networks in EHI.

Main Methods:

RNA and microRNA sequencing in 3 HAART-naive EHI patients and 3 healthy controls.
Analysis of lncRNA cis-regulatory targets and construction of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks.
Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs.

Main Results:

Identified 242 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 1240 mRNAs, and 21 miRNAs in EHI patients.
Discovered lncRNAs potentially regulating immune activation (BTLA, ZAP70) and HIV-1 replication (HIF1A, TCF7L2).
Constructed ceRNA networks revealing lncRNAs involved in immune activation and HIV-1 replication (FOS, FOSB, JUN).

Conclusions:

lncRNAs play a significant role in HIV-1 replication and immune activation during EHI.
These findings enhance understanding of HIV pathogenesis.
Novel insights into potential antiviral therapies for HIV infection.