Banafsheh Douzandeh-Mobarrez - Department of Microbiology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
Ashraf Kariminik - Department of Microbiology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
Babak Kheirkhah - Department of Veterinary Medicine, Baft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Baft, Iran

Background: Micro-RNAs (miRs) play several roles during infections with viruses. Therefore, the roles of miR۲۱ and mir۱۵۵ in the induction of the viral-related cancers have been the focus of attention in several studies. High risk human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are the main factors negatively contributing to the induction of HPV-related cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR۲۱ and mir۱۵۵ in the patients with HPV-high risk genotypes in order to explore the roles of the miRs in the induction of HPVrelated cancers. Methods: In this study, ۴۰ women infected with the high-risk HPV genotypes as well as ۴۰ healthy controls were examined regarding the relative expression of miR۲۱ and mir۱۵۵ by adopting real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. U۶ was used for data normalization of miRNAs. Results: Relative expressions of both miR۲۱ and miR۱۵۵ were significantly higher in the HPV-infected patients compared to those in non-infected women. Conclusions: It was concluded that miR۲۱ and miR۱۵۵ may have played key roles in the induction of HPVrelated cancers among Iranian patients.

Human papilloma virus, MicroRNA, Cervical cancer