Iranian Journal of Virology

en The Interaction of EBV-Derived MicroRNAs with Bipolar Disorder-Associated Genes: Insights from Bioinformatics عمومى General پژوهشي Original article <div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left:none; border-right:none; padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">Background and Aims: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by episodes of mania and depression. While genetic factors contribute significantly to BD, they do not fully account for the disorder's variability, suggesting that additional elements, such as infections and immune dysregulation, may play a role. Recent studies have implicated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in various psychiatric conditions due to its ability to produce microRNAs (miRNAs) that influence host gene expression. However, the specific interactions between EBV miRNAs and BD-related genes remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the potential interactions between EBV-derived miRNAs and genes associated with BD, using both text-mining and experimental data to identify relevant gene targets. Material and methods: We utilized data from the VirMirna database to identify EBV miRNAs and their target genes in human cells. Additionally, genes associated with BD were sourced from the DISEASES database, with data filtered to ensure medium to high confidence associations. Using network analysis in Cytoscape, we explored the interactions between EBV miRNAs and BD-related genes. Genes were further categorized based on their regulation status (upregulation, downregulation, dysregulation) in BD. Results: The analysis identified 21 unique EBV miRNAs targeting 30 BD-associated genes. Of these, 27 genes were linked through text-mining data, while 3 genes had evidence from both text-mined and experimental sources. Key findings include that miRNAs such as ebv-miR-bart22 and ebv-miR-bart19-3p target multiple genes, suggesting broader regulatory influence. Genes impacted by these miRNAs include those involved in neurotransmitter pathways, neuroplasticity, and immune responses, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of BD. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential role of EBV miRNAs in modulating gene expression related to BD, suggesting that viral factors could influence the disorder’s onset and severity. The findings open new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of EBV miRNAs on psychiatric health. Further research is necessary to confirm these interactions and explore their clinical implications.</div> Bipolar disorder, Epstein-Barr virus, microRNAs, gene regulation, psychiatric disorders, neuroplasticity, immune response. 1 11 http://journal.isv.org.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-369-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mohammad Yasaghi mohammad.yasaghi@gmail.com 10031947532846007980 10031947532846007980 Yes Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.