HIV infection is associated with upregulated circulating levels of the inflammaging miR-21-5p.

Background: HIV infection produces a chronic inflammation which leads to early aging of people living with HIV. Even though antiretroviral treatments (ART) have significantly increased HIV patient survival, an underlying chronic inflammation persists leading to HIV-related comorbidities. In this context, changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) expression may contribute to this inflammatory response. This study aims to detect differential expression of circulating miRNAs in treatment-naïve HIV-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls and evaluation of altered miRNAs after one year of ART.

Methods: Serum from patients and controls was collected at baseline and after 48-weeks on ART in HIV-treated patients. Circulating miRNAs were analysed using next generation sequencing.

Results: A total of 32 HIV patients and 10 controls were recruited. Of HIV+ individuals, 7 were long-term non-progressors (elite controllers), a group of HIV-infected individuals that spontaneously control the infection. Higher circulating levels of miR-21-5p, and lower levels of miR-6503-3p and miR-3135b were detected in HIV+ progressors. After one year of ART, these miRNAs remain altered. Moreover, miR-21-5p and miR-6503-3p were also altered in elite controllers compared to control group. In silico analyses showed that miR-21-5p target pathways are related to inflammation mechanisms and immune system.

Conclusion: miR-21-5p circulating levels are involved in inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms in HIV patients even after one year of ART or in elite controllers.