| Sample Type | n | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | 5 | 88% - 104% | 96% |
| EDTA Plasma | 5 | 85% - 101% | 92% |
| Heparin Plasma | 5 | 85% - 104% | 98% |
| Sample Type | n | 1:2 | 1:4 | 1:8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | 5 | 90-105% | 89-105% | 85-105% |
| EDTA Plasma | 5 | 83-98% | 82-101% | 82-96% |
| Heparin Plasma | 5 | 91-95% | 83-99% | 80-94% |
| Item | Quantity | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Coated 96 Well Microplate | 12 x 8 Well Strips | +4°C |
| Lyopholized Standard | 2 Vials | +4°C |
| Sample Dilution Buffer | 20ml | +4°C |
| Biotinylated Detection Antibody | 120µl | +4°C |
| Antibody Dilution Buffer | 10ml | +4°C |
| HRP-Streptavidin Conjugate | 120µl | +4°C |
| SABC Dilution Buffer | 10ml | +4°C |
| TMB Substrate | 10ml | +4°C |
| Stop Solution | 10ml | +4°C |
| Wash Buffer (25X) | 30ml | +4°C |
| Plate Sealers | 5 Adhesive Strips | - |
| Foil Pouch | 1 Zip-Sealed Pouch | - |
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) coinfection is associated with a faster HIV disease progression and adverse clinical outcomes. HCMV-encoded miRNA expression, in individuals acutely infected with HIV (AHI), compared to those with HCMV monoinfection, was investigated in relation to viral replication and inflammation/immune activation. Sixteen individuals with AHI coinfected with HCMV were analyzed at serodiagnosis (T0) and after 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months of antiretroviral therapy initiated within one week from serodiagnosis. Fourteen HCMV monoinfected subjects were also studied. Plasma RNA was reverse-transcribed and amplified with a panel designed to detect 14 different HCMV-microRNAs (miRNAs). VEGF-A and IP-10 plasma levels were quantified using ELISA. Except for hcmv-miR-70-3p, detected in all subjects, hcmv-miR-UL112-3p, hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p, hcmv-miR-US25-2-3p, hcmv-miR-US4-5p, hcmv-miR-US5-1, hcmv-miR-US5-2-3p, hcmv-miR-UL36-3p, and hcmv-miR-UL36-5p were significantly more frequently detected when HCMV DNA was present (lytic infection). In latent HCMV infection, hcmv-miR-UL22A-5p and hcmv-miR-UL148D were more frequently observed in HIV/HCMV-coinfected individuals, compared to mono-HCMV infection. Hcmv-miR-UL22A-5p and hcmv-miR-US33-5p showed a direct correlation with HIV-1 RNA. Notable positive correlations between hcmv-miR-UL22A-5p and the interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), as well as between hcmv-miR-UL148D and the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), were also observed. HCMV-miRNA expression varies between lytic and latent infection and differs in HIV coinfection. In HCMV/HIV coinfection, increased levels of hcmv-miR-UL148D, associated with VEGF-A production, seem to be less linked to HIV viremia with respect to hcmv-miR-UL22A-5p and hcmv-miR-US33-5p. A deeper understanding of HCMV-encoded miRNA biology may facilitate the comprehension of HCMV/HIV coinfection pathogenetic mechanisms.