Differential expression profiling of human milk derived exosomal MicroRNAs in HIV-1 infected Women from Nigeria

Despite the use of current antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-1 infected mothers, approximately 5% of new HIV-1 infections still occur in breastfed infants annually. Human Milk (HM) exosomes are highly enriched in maternal microRNAs (miRNAs) and after ingestion and subsequent absorption play an important role in neonatal innate and adaptive immunity. Although, HM exosomes derived from healthy donors are known to inhibit HIV-1 transmission; the effect of HIV-1 on HM exosomal miRNA signatures remains unknown. In the present study, for the first time HM derived exosomal miRNA profiles were determined in HIV-1 infected women. HM exosomes were purified from uninfected control and HIV-1 infected mothers (n=36), processed for RNA extraction and subjected to miRNA expression profiling by NanoString technology. The data were analyzed, and targets were predicted.