MicroRNA-296-5p Expression in COVID-19 Patients and  its Relationship with Inflammatory Cytokines

Sepideh  Barzin Tond; Sahar  Yarahmadi; Reza  Fadaei; Navid  Farahmandian; Mohammadjavad   Sotoudeheian; Rahim  Rostami; Nasim  Khajavirad; Abbas  Tafakhori; Minoosh  Shabani; Ali  Riazi; Soudabeh  Fallah; Saeed  Karima

doi:10.18502/abi.v2i1.16274

Sepideh Barzin Tond Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sahar Yarahmadi Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Reza Fadaei Sleep disorders research center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Navid Farahmandian Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadjavad Sotoudeheian Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rahim Rostami Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nasim Khajavirad Internal Medicine Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
Abbas Tafakhori Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Minoosh Shabani Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Riazi Kondor Pharma Inc., Toronto, Canada
Soudabeh Fallah Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Saeed Karima Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/abi.v2i1.16274

Keywords: SARS-COV-2; COVID-19; miRNA; Inflammation; Cytokine; IP-10

Abstract

Objectives: The cytokine storm, triggered by the activation of certain pro-inflammatory genes in the second phase of COVID-19, is associated with severe acute respiratory disorder. Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miR) and cytokine levels can play pivotal roles in host cell antiviral defense mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the changes in IFN-γ inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and miR-296-5p expression, as well as their relationship with some inflammatory cytokines and biochemical variables in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study was conducted on 30 COVID-19 patients and 30 controls. The expression of miR-296-5p and IP-10 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated using real-time PCR. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP were measured by ELISA.

Results: Higher expression levels of miR-296-5p and IP-10 genes were observed in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (P=0.001). Furthermore, IP-10, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher (PP<0.01) in COVID-19 patients than in controls. The results also showed positive correlations between miR-296-5p expression and serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α in patients with COVID-19. ROC curve analysis of miR[1]296-5p in COVID-19 patients showed an area under the curve of 0.830, 95% CI (0.658-0.815), P<0.001, with an optimal cut-off point of 0.32965.

Conclusion: Our results suggest a regulatory role for miR-296-5p in cytokine secretion in COVID-19. The results indicate that the expression of miR-296-5p and IP-10 genes in PBMCs might serve as convenient novel biomarkers for the prognosis of COVID-19.