A new form of Kaposi sarcoma arising in treated people living with HIV

Kaposi sarcoma, a skin cancer caused by herpesvirus-8, develops in the context of immunosuppression or aging. In people living with HIV, Kaposi sarcoma is considered as a harbinger of AIDS and its incidence decreased with the advent of antiretroviral treatments. However, cases re-emerge in HIV-treated people, re-exposing the stigma of AIDS and suggesting an influence of senescence. In their latest article in the AIDS Journal, MCVD member Dr. Jean-Pierre Routy and his co-researcher Dr. Léna Royston report this new form of the disease and are implementing a study in HIV-infected and elderly individuals to understand the mechanisms involved, and develop novel therapies.

A moonlighting microRNA enhances hepatitis C virus RNA accumulation

Selena M. Sagan’s Lab discovered that a human liver-specific microRNA, termed miR-122, enhances viral RNA accumulation of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Together with Argonaute (Ago), miR-122 protects HCV RNA genome from cellular degradation and enhances translation from viral internal ribosome entry site. This work expands our knowledge of microRNA function and provides a novel example of how HCV takes advantage of the liver microenvironment to accumulate in cells. To find out more, check out: Amador-Cañizares Y et al. NAR 2018 and Chahal J et al. NAR 2019.