The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection

Abstract Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with impaired immune systems may develop BKV nephropathy (BKVN). BKVN and allograft rejection may harm transplanted kidneys. BKV replicates via miR-B1-5p and 3p in order to escape from host’s immunological response. BKV alters KTR and viral gene expressio...

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Main Authors: Maryam Changizi, Gholamreza Motalleb, Ramin Yaghobi, Afsoon Afshari, Jamshid Roozbeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93503-6
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author Maryam Changizi
Gholamreza Motalleb
Ramin Yaghobi
Afsoon Afshari
Jamshid Roozbeh
author_facet Maryam Changizi
Gholamreza Motalleb
Ramin Yaghobi
Afsoon Afshari
Jamshid Roozbeh
author_sort Maryam Changizi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with impaired immune systems may develop BKV nephropathy (BKVN). BKVN and allograft rejection may harm transplanted kidneys. BKV replicates via miR-B1-5p and 3p in order to escape from host’s immunological response. BKV alters KTR and viral gene expression and miRNA profiles. In an inflammatory setting, IFN-γ may initiate the removal of pathogens by inducing an immune response. It has antiviral immunity, which may prevent the virus from replicating by preventing the synthesis of BK virus proteins. Antiviral miRNAs like miR-29a are also produced in response to IFN-γ activation. Thus, we investigated these modifications as putative biomarkers for evaluating viral infection and the regulatory web that arises from their expression during infection and the emergence of post-transplant problems. This study was carried out on KTRs. Our research, which aimed to quantify and examine the amounts of cellular miRNA-29a, IFN-γ gene, BKV-miR-B1-5p and 3p from urine and blood in KT patient groups, has the potential to guide future research in the field. Patients with BKVN (BK-), patients without an active BKV infection (BK-), patients with a history of transplant rejection (Reject), patients without an active history of transplant rejection (Non reject), and a control group were among these groups. The Syber green real-time PCR was employed for the measurements and analysis. The findings of our investigation demonstrated that BK virus-caused kidney tissue damage (tissue), patients with an active BK virus infection (BK+), and KTRs who had previously experienced transplant rejection all showed less IFN-γ gene expression in comparison with control. These patients showed upper levels of miR-29a gene expression than the control group. Furthermore, these patients’ gene expressions of miR-B1-5p and 3p showed higher in comparison with those of the control group. To date, there is no report on the effect of IFN-γ on the expression of BK polyomavirus miRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant recipients with nephropathy compared to kidney transplant recipients without nephropathy in the Iranian population. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as a strategy to combat viral infections and pathogenesis caused by BK polyomavirus in kidney transplantation.
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spelling doaj-art-3c763342399d4f01b5674251d2c8447c2025-08-20T02:56:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-93503-6The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infectionMaryam Changizi0Gholamreza Motalleb1Ramin Yaghobi2Afsoon Afshari3Jamshid Roozbeh4Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ZabolDivision of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ZabolShiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesShiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesShiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with impaired immune systems may develop BKV nephropathy (BKVN). BKVN and allograft rejection may harm transplanted kidneys. BKV replicates via miR-B1-5p and 3p in order to escape from host’s immunological response. BKV alters KTR and viral gene expression and miRNA profiles. In an inflammatory setting, IFN-γ may initiate the removal of pathogens by inducing an immune response. It has antiviral immunity, which may prevent the virus from replicating by preventing the synthesis of BK virus proteins. Antiviral miRNAs like miR-29a are also produced in response to IFN-γ activation. Thus, we investigated these modifications as putative biomarkers for evaluating viral infection and the regulatory web that arises from their expression during infection and the emergence of post-transplant problems. This study was carried out on KTRs. Our research, which aimed to quantify and examine the amounts of cellular miRNA-29a, IFN-γ gene, BKV-miR-B1-5p and 3p from urine and blood in KT patient groups, has the potential to guide future research in the field. Patients with BKVN (BK-), patients without an active BKV infection (BK-), patients with a history of transplant rejection (Reject), patients without an active history of transplant rejection (Non reject), and a control group were among these groups. The Syber green real-time PCR was employed for the measurements and analysis. The findings of our investigation demonstrated that BK virus-caused kidney tissue damage (tissue), patients with an active BK virus infection (BK+), and KTRs who had previously experienced transplant rejection all showed less IFN-γ gene expression in comparison with control. These patients showed upper levels of miR-29a gene expression than the control group. Furthermore, these patients’ gene expressions of miR-B1-5p and 3p showed higher in comparison with those of the control group. To date, there is no report on the effect of IFN-γ on the expression of BK polyomavirus miRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant recipients with nephropathy compared to kidney transplant recipients without nephropathy in the Iranian population. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as a strategy to combat viral infections and pathogenesis caused by BK polyomavirus in kidney transplantation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93503-6
spellingShingle Maryam Changizi
Gholamreza Motalleb
Ramin Yaghobi
Afsoon Afshari
Jamshid Roozbeh
The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
Scientific Reports
title The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
title_full The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
title_fullStr The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
title_full_unstemmed The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
title_short The impact of gamma interferon on BK virus candidate microRNAs and related miRNAs in kidney transplant patients with BK infection
title_sort impact of gamma interferon on bk virus candidate micrornas and related mirnas in kidney transplant patients with bk infection
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93503-6
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