Epigenetic modulation of ALKBH5, FTO and YTHDF2 genes in crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever patients depending on RNA methylation.

BACKGROUND

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease caused by a virus belonging to the Orthonairovirus genus. Mononuclear phagocytic cells, hepatocytes and endothelial cells are known to be the primary targets of the CCHF virus during the infection. Epitranscriptomes refers to all chemical modifications of RNA within a cell. The most common among these-and the focus of this study- is N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

In this study, for the first time, we investigated the expression profiles of ALKBH5, FTO and YTHDF2 genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in CCHF patients. The case group consisted of individuals diognosed with CCHF, while the control group comprised healthy individuals with no active infections. The patient group was further classified into mild and severe cases based on clinical presentation. The expression of the ALKBH5 and YTHDF2 genes was statistically significantly upregulated in fatals (p < 0.001). In addition, ALKBH5 genes were differentially expressed in fatals compared to nonfatal case (p = 0.005). Furthermore, we found that FTO gene was significantly upregulated in severe CCHF patients (p = 0.03). We also compared gene expression levels in patients grouped by clinical parameters that above or within normal limits. FTO expression was found to be significantly decreased in patient with elevated ALT and AST levels (p = 0.043 and p = 0.048, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that upregulated expression of these genes may be associated with CCHF prognosis. These genes may also serve as potential molecular biomarker for diseaase progression.