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miRNAs as a Potential Biomarker in the COVID-19 Infection and Complications Course, Severity, and Outcome
Milena Jankovic1,2, Dejan Nikolic2,3, Ivana Novakovic2
1Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Abstract:
During the last three years, since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of scientific publications have focused on resolving susceptibility to the infection, as well as the course of the disease and potential long-term complications. COVID-19 is widely considered as a multisystem disease and a variety of socioeconomic, medical, and genetic/epigenetic factors may contribute to the disease severity and outcome. Furthermore, the SARS-COV-2 infection may trigger pathological processes and accelerate underlying conditions to clinical entities. The development of specific and sensitive biomarkers that are easy to obtain will allow for patient stratification, prevention, prognosis, and more individualized treatments for COVID-19. miRNAs are proposed as promising biomarkers for different aspects of COVID-19 disease (susceptibility, severity, complication course, outcome, and therapeutic possibilities). This review summarizes the most relevant findings concerning miRNA involvement in COVID-19 pathology. Additionally, the role of miRNAs in wide range of complications due to accompanied and/or underlying health conditions is discussed. The importance of understanding the functional relationships between different conditions, such as pregnancy, obesity, or neurological diseases, with COVID-19 is also highlighted.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers for COVID-19, aiding in understanding disease susceptibility, severity, and complications. This review highlights their role in COVID-19 pathology and associated health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 is a multisystem disease influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic, medical, and genetic elements.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection can exacerbate existing health conditions and trigger new pathological processes.
- Effective patient stratification, prognosis, and individualized treatment require sensitive and accessible biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current findings on microRNA (miRNA) involvement in COVID-19 pathology.
- To discuss the role of miRNAs in COVID-19 complications and their interaction with underlying health conditions.
- To emphasize the significance of understanding miRNA-mediated functional relationships in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications on COVID-19 and miRNAs.
- Analysis of studies investigating miRNA roles in disease susceptibility, severity, and complications.
- Synthesis of information on comorbidities like pregnancy, obesity, and neurological diseases in relation to COVID-19 and miRNAs.
Main Results:
- miRNAs are emerging as key biomarkers for various aspects of COVID-19, including susceptibility, disease progression, and complications.
- Specific miRNAs are implicated in the pathological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- miRNAs play a role in the exacerbation or manifestation of comorbidities influenced by COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs hold significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for COVID-19.
- Understanding miRNA profiles can lead to more personalized treatment strategies for COVID-19 patients.
- Further research into miRNA functions is crucial for managing COVID-19 and its associated health issues.
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