Host miRNA expression associated with EBV infection status: A pilot study

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a lifelong persistent herpesvirus, usually asymptomatic but associated with several malignancies and autoimmune disorders. EBV encodes viral proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) that modulate host gene expression and facilitate immune evasion. This pilot study analyzed host cellular miRNA expression in EBV-positive (EBV+) and EBV-negative (EBV-) individuals, as well as within EBV infection subgroups, and examined IL-6 promoter methylation and telomere length.
In a cohort of 156 participants, EBV infection was confirmed in 95 individuals via qPCR and categorized as chronic latent, chronic lytic, acute early, or acute recent. miR-328 and miR-21 significantly differentiated EBV+ from EBV- individuals, while miR-877 distin- guished acute from chronic infections. IL-6 promoter methylation inversely correlated with miR-328 expression, indicating an association between epigenetic regulation of in- flammation in EBV persistence. No telomere length differences were observed between EBV+ and EBV- groups. These findings are hypothesis-generating and support further mechanistic work on miRNA–epigenetic interactions in EBV persistence.