Increased Plasma Cell-Free DNA Level during HTNV Infection: Correlation with Disease Severity and Virus Load

Abstract

Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) in blood represents a promising DNA damage response triggered by virus infection or trauma, tumor, etc. Hantavirus primarily causes two diseases: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), depending on different Hantavirus species. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma cf-DNA levels in acute phase of HFRS, and to correlate plasma cf-DNA with disease severity and plasma Hanttan virus (HTNV) load. We observed the appearance of cf-DNA in 166 plasma samples from 76 HFRS patients: the plasma cf-DNA levels peaked at the hypotensive stage of HFRS, and then decreased gradually. Until the diuretic stage, there was no significant difference in plasma cf-DNA level between patients and the healthy control. Exclusively in the febrile/hypotensive stage, the plasma cf-DNA levels of severe/critical patients were higher than those of the mild/moderate group. Moreover, the plasma cf-DNA value in the early stage of HFRS was correlated with HTNV load and disease severity. In most of the patients, plasma cf-DNA displayed a low-molecular weight appearance, corresponding to the size of apoptotic DNA. In conclusion, the plasma cf-DNA levels were dynamically elevated during HFRS, and correlated with disease severity, which suggests that plasma cf-DNA may be a potential biomarker for the pathogenesis and prognosis of HFRS.

Release of bulk cell free DNA during physical exercise occurs independent of extracellular vesicles

“…Depending on the physiological condition, there could be different mechanisms of releasing cfDNA into the blood stream. The main source of disease-associated cfDNA elevations is thought to be apoptosis and necrosis, thereby reflecting the degree of cellular damage (Yi et al 2014). In cancer patients, additional active secretory mechanisms are proposed (Schwarzenbach et al 2011).…”

“…Nuclear and mitochondrial 2009;Schwarzenbach et al 2011;Swarup and Rajeswari 2007;Ziegler et al 2002). Although studies have already proved the diagnostic and prognostic value of cfDNA concentrations for several of these disorders (Yi et al 2014), the nature and release mechanisms of cfDNA are not fully understood. Depending on the physiological condition, there could be different mechanisms of releasing cfDNA into the blood stream.…”

Whole‐Genome Promoter Profiling of Plasma DNA Exhibits Diagnostic Value for Placenta‐Origin Pregnancy Complications

“…[ 15 ] Since then, elevated cfDNA levels have been observed for a wide range of conditions, including pregnancy, infection, inflammation, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and hemodialysis. [ 16–20 ] Of these conditions, higher median maternal serum cfDNA concentrations have been reported in pregnancies with pregnancy complications, such as PE. [ 21 ] Taken together, these observations indicate that cfDNA is a potential noninvasive biomarker of diverse diseases, including pregnancy‐related complications.…”

Relationship of plasma cell‐free DNA level with mortality and prognosis in patients with Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever

“…According to Yi et al [], in the course of HFRS, maximum pcf‐DNA levels were reached during the hypotensive stage, then gradually declined and pcf‐DNA levels were significantly higher in severe group of patients compared to mild/moderate patient group only in this stage. In addition, pcf‐DNA level was correlated with the viral load and clinical severity in early stage HFRS.…”