Measuring mRNA expression level of viral genes, IRF3/7 and TLR7/8 during BK polyomavirus infection in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Human BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection is a dangerous pathogenic factor in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs, which can cause damage to the transplanted kidneys after reactivation. BKV interacts with transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes involved in the immune system, which can cause kidney failure or transplant rejection due to tumorigenic antigens. METHODS: The genes mRNA expression levels of BKV, including large T antigen (LTA), small T antigen (STA), Agnoprotein, and viral structural proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3, as well as immune system transcription factors interferon regulatory factors 3 (IRF3), interferon regulatory factors 7 (IRF7), Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), and Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), were investigated using in-house Real-time PCR SYBR Green protocols. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BKV reactivation on genes mRNA expression levels of viral genes and innate immune system factors including IRF3, IRF7, TLR7 and TLR8 and to determine the primary potential role of these factors during BKV pathogenesis by measuring genes mRNA expression levels in KTRs samples. RESULTS: The reactive group showed significant increase in the mRNA expression of viral genes. The increase in BKV replication potentially led to significantly decrease in mRNA expression levels of IRF3, IRF7, TLR7, and TLR8. In the latent group, the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 genes were significantly higher versus reactive group. CONCLUSION: The results of analysis viral genes mRNA expression suggested potential role of viral genes during BKV pathogenesis. The results of this limited study showed that at the mRNA level, certain genes of the immune system can be altered and that BKV reactivation has the potential to affect these genes.