Is HERV-K and HERV-W expression regulated by mir-155 in Sézary Syndrome?

Abstract

According to the latest update, 2578 unique mature miRNAs are currently annotated in the human genome and participate in the regulation of multiple events, such as cellular proliferation or apoptosis. A previous study analyzing global miRNA expression patterns in GH cells (high HERV-K versus low) showed that two miRNAs (miR-663 and miR-638) are differentially regulated and exhibit expression parallel to that of HERV-K. The aim of this study was to evaluate HERV-K and -W pol gene and mir-155 expression in SS patients and possible relationship between them. The comparison between SS patients and healthy donor showed a significant difference in terms of mir-155 expression P=0.0003 as previously reported by our groups. We demonstrated that HERV-K and -W pol gene expression was significantly higher in SS patients vs. healthy donor as previously reported by our groups. Our correlation data suggest that miR-155 are not directly involved in regulating the HERVs. Furthermore, further studies including other cohorts of pathology with mir-155 and HERVs involvement such as inflammatory diseases are needed to investigate the role of mir-155 in the cross-activations of HERVs.