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Human ACE-2, MCP1 and micro-RNA 146 as Novel Markers for COVID- 19 Affection and Severity
Amal Ahmed Mohamed1, Sherief Abd-Elsalam2, Ahmed Abdelghani3
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Hepatology & Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
This study found that higher ACE2 and MCP1 levels, along with lower micro-RNA 146 expression, are linked to severe COVID-19 lung injury and neurological issues in Egyptian patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health threat.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying COVID-19 severity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between risk factors, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), and micro-RNA 146 gene expression in COVID-19 patients.
- To correlate these factors with disease severity, lung affection, thrombosis, and neurological complications.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 165 COVID-19 patients and 138 healthy controls.
- Measurement of ACE2 and MCP-1 blood levels using ELISA.
- Assessment of micro-RNA 146 gene expression via PCR.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated ACE2 and MCP-1 levels compared to controls.
- A significant downregulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression was observed in patients.
- Increased ACE2 levels correlated with lung injury severity and neurological complications.
- Elevated MCP-1 levels were associated with thrombosis.
- Neurological complications were linked to higher viral load, ACE2 levels, and reduced micro-RNA 146 expression.
Conclusions:
- High viral load, elevated ACE2, and downregulated micro-RNA 146 are associated with severe lung injury in COVID-19.
- These factors also correlate with neurological complications such as convulsions and coma.
- Findings highlight potential biomarkers for COVID-19 severity and neurological involvement.
Background & Aims:
Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) is a major pandemic that causes high morbidity and mortality rates.
Aim Of This Study:
to detect the relations between many risk factors, ACE-2, MCP-1, Micro RNA 146 gene expression, and COVID-19 infection and disease severity.
Methods:
This study was carried out on 165 cases of COVID-19 and 138 controls. ACE2 and MCP1 levels were measured in COVID-19 cases and control by ELISA and micro-RNA-146 expression by PCR.
Results:
We found an increased blood level of ACE2 and MCP1 in COVID- 19 patients than in healthy persons and a significant down-regulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression in cases than in controls. There was a significant correlation between increased blood level of ACE2, regulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression and severity of lung affection, a significant correlation was found between increased blood level of MCP1 and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. Neurological complications were significantly correlated with more viral load, more ACE2 blood level, and down regulation of micro RNA146 expression.
Conclusion:
High viral load, increased blood level of ACE2, and down-regulation of micro-RNA 146 expression are associated with more severe lung injury and the presence of neurologic complications like convulsions and coma in COVID-19 Egyptian patients.
