Effects of human cytomegalovirus infection on apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-regulating factors

Human microRNA sequencing and cytomegalovirus infection risk after kidney transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with detectable CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity according to the QuantiFERON-CMV assay (QTF-CMV) are expected to have adequate immune protection. Nevertheless, a proportion of patients still develop CMV infection. Human microRNAs (hsa-miRNAs) are promising biomarkers owing to their high stability and easy detection. We performed whole blood miRNA sequencing in samples coincident with the first reactive QTF-CMV after transplantation or cessation of antiviral prophylaxis to investigate hsa-miRNAs differentially expressed according to the occurrence of CMV infection. One-year incidence of CMV viremia was 55.0% (median interval from miRNA sequencing sampling of 29 days). After qPCR validation, we found that hsa-miR-125a-5p was downregulated in KTRs developing CMV viremia within the next 90 days (ΔCt: 7.9 ± 0.9 versus 7.3 ± 1.0; P = .011). This difference was more evident among KTRs preemptively managed (8.2 ± 0.9 versus 6.9 ± 0.8; P < .001), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.865. Functional enrichment analysis identified hsa-miR-125a-5p targets involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, including the BAK1 gene, which was significantly downregulated in KTRs developing CMV viremia. In conclusion, hsa-miR-125a-5p may serve as biomarker to identify CMV-seropositive KTRs at risk of CMV reactivation despite detectable CMV-CMI.

The evaluation of both the expression and serum protein levels of Caspase-3 gene in patients with different degrees of SARS-CoV2 infection

To evaluate the effects of Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and serum levels on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected. Also, human CASP3 levels were determined from the serum samples of patients. The mean age of patients was 56.220 ± 18.937 years. Significant differences were detected among all groups for CASP3  2 - ΔΔ C t (p = 0.014) and CASP3 concentration (p = 0.024). The relationship between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and hemoglobin (p = 0.023), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and ferritin (p = 0.003), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and lactate dehydrogenase (p =  0.001), and between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and SpO2 (p = 0.006) were statistically significant. Also, the relationship between CASP3 concentration levels and SpO2 was statistically significant (p < 0.046). The CASP3 gene and/or its products have an important function to prevent injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and viability. Perhaps CASP3 levels may provide information about the severity of the disease.