Discovery of miRNAs unique to actively transcribed erythroparvovirus infection in heart failure patients

Abstract Aims MiRNAs, small non-coding RNAs, play key roles in gene regulation, cell differentiation, and tissue development. They influence viral infection outcomes by directly interacting with viral genomes or modifying the host microenvironment. This study demonstrates miRNAs' ability to selectively suppress transcriptionally active erythroparvovirus, highlighting their potential in antiviral therapies. Methods Seventy-five endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens from patients with unexplained heart failure were analyzed. The samples included 19 with dilated cardiomyopathy and inflammation (DCMi), 12 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 25 with inflammation and active erythroparvovirus infection, 13 with active erythroparvovirus infection only, and 6 from undiagnosed patients as controls. miRNA expression was measured using TaqMan assays. Results MiR-98, miR-222, miR-106b, and miR-197 were significantly upregulated in patients with transcriptionally active erythroparvovirus infection, independent of inflammation (P 0.005). These miRNAs differentiated these patients from all other groups with over 90% specificity. Conclusions These specific miRNAs offer a novel diagnostic tool for active erythroparvovirus infections and hold promise as therapeutic targets, providing safer alternatives to traditional antiviral treatments.