Abstract
BK viral infection is an important cause of renal transplant dysfunction and failure. Current strategies utilize surveillance for infection with DNA polymerase chain reaction assays and modulation of immunosuppression. Many viruses including polyomaviruses encode microRNAs (miRNAs). We have detected BK virus (BKV) encoded miRNAs in the blood of infected renal transplant recipients, and see a strong correlation between BKV encoded miRNA and BKV DNA in blood and a relationship between levels of bkv-miR-B1-5p and the presence of biopsy-proven BK viral nephropathy. Further research is needed to determine whether the detection of this and other virally encoded miRNAs may be useful in the diagnosis of active viral replication. The investigators examine for BK virus encoded microRNAs in the blood of renal transplant recipients and detect these microRNAs in patients with active BK virus nephropathy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1183-1190 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American Journal of Transplantation |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2014 |
Keywords
- BK nephropathy
- BK virus
- microRNA
- renal transplant