Up-regulation of circulating miRNA146a correlates with viral load via IRAK1 and TRAF6 in hepatitis C virus-infected patients

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a life threatening human pathogen. It has been found that miRNA146a regulates innate immunity, inflammatory response and antiviral pathway. We evaluated miRNA146a expression by real-time PCR and IL-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) levels by ELISA in serum of 36 HCV viremia patients and 42 age and gender matched healthy controls. Results: miRNA146a expression was significantly higher in HCV patients with a best cut off value 1.63 to discriminate between HCV patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, it was negatively correlated to IRAK1 and TRAF6 levels and positively correlated to viral load in HCV patients. Conclusions: miRNA146a has a potential role in HCV infection and viral replication through IRAK1 and TRAF6. It can also serve as a new screening method for HCV.