Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important public health issues.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between microRNAs expression leveland immunological and viral markers in HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Methods: The expression level of miR-29, miR-149, miR-199, miR-let7, miR-223, miR-155, miR-122, and miR-150 was evaluated in 20 HIV, 20 HCV, 20 co-infected patients, and 20 healthy controls using real-time PCR assay. HIV and HCVviral loads were measuredby real-time PCR, and also, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was measuredby the PIMA CD4 analyzer.

Results: The miRNA expression pattern in each mentioned group showed significantly different expression profiles, but some miRNA species were shared between the groups. MiR-122 and miR-155 were upregulated, while miR-29 and miR-223 were downregulated in three patients groups compared to healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the expression of miR-122 and HIV/HCV loads. But, miR-29 and let-7 were negatively correlated with HIV load, and miR-149 and let-7 were negatively correlated with HCV load. Also, miR-155 was positively correlated with HCV load. MiR-122 and miR-199 were negative while others were positively correlated with CD4+ T cell count.

Conclusion: These miRNAs are probably involved in the clinical progression and pathogenesis of HIV and HCV infections. Therefore, determining and manipulating these miRNAs can lead to opening a new gate to control these important infections.

背景：人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）和丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染是重要的公共卫生问题。

目的：本研究旨在评估 HIV、HCV 和 HIV/HCV 共感染患者中 microRNA 表达水平与免疫学和病毒标志物之间的关联。

方法：评价miR-29、miR-149、miR-199、miR-let7、miR-223、miR-155、miR-122和miR-150在20个HIV、20个HCV、20个共感染患者和 20 名健康对照使用实时 PCR 检测。HIV 和 HCV 病毒载量通过实时 PCR 测量，并且 CD4+ T 淋巴细胞计数通过 PIMA CD4 分析仪测量。

结果：每个提到的组中的 miRNA 表达模式显示出显着不同的表达谱，但一些 miRNA 种类在各组之间共享。与健康对照组相比，三个患者组的 MiR-122 和 miR-155 上调，而 miR-29 和 miR-223 下调。在 miR-122 的表达和 HIV/HCV 负荷之间观察到显着的正相关。但是，miR-29和let-7与HIV载量呈负相关，miR-149和let-7与HCV载量呈负相关。此外，miR-155 与 HCV 负荷呈正相关。MiR-122 和 miR-199 为阴性，而其他与 CD4+ T 细胞计数呈正相关。

结论：这些miRNA可能参与了HIV和HCV感染的临床进展和发病机制。因此，确定和操纵这些 miRNA 可以打开控制这些重要感染的新大门。