microRNAs as new possible actors in gender disparities of Covid-19 pandemic

Regulatory role of miRNAs in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses: A comprehensive review

miRNAs are single-stranded ncRNAs that act as regulators of different human body processes. Several miRNAs have been noted to control the human immune and inflammatory response during severe acute respiratory infection syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Similarly, many miRNAs were upregulated and downregulated during different respiratory virus infections. Here, an attempt has been made to capture the regulatory role of miRNAs in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. Firstly, the role of miRNAs has been depicted in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2. In this direction, several significant points have been discussed about SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as the role of miRNAs in human innate immune response; miRNAs and its regulation of granulocytes; the role of miRNAs in macrophage activation and polarisation; miRNAs and neutrophil extracellular trap formation; miRNA-related inflammatory response; and miRNAs association in adaptive immunity. Secondly, the miRNAs landscape has been depicted during human respiratory virus infections such as human coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus. The article will provide more understanding of the miRNA-controlled mechanism of the immune and inflammatory response during COVID-19, which will help more therapeutics discoveries to fight against the future pandemic.

Analyzing the expression pattern of the noncoding RNAs (HOTAIR, PVT-1, XIST, H19, and miRNA-34a) in PBMC samples of patients with COVID-19, according to the disease severity in Iran during 2022-2023: A cross-sectional study

Background and aims

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are well-known types of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), which have been known as the key regulators of gene expression. They can play critical roles in viral infection by regulating the host immune response and interacting with genes in the viral genome. In this regard, ncRNAs can be employed as biomarkers for viral diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) ncRNAs (lncRNAs-homeobox C antisense intergenic RNA [HOTAIR], -H19, X-inactive-specific transcript [XIST], plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 [PVT-1], and miR-34a) as diagnostic biomarkers to differentiate severe COVID-19 cases from mild ones.

Methods

Candidate ncRNAs were selected according to previous studies and assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in the PBMC samples of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (n = 40), healthy subjects (n = 40), and mild COVID-19 cases (n = 40). Furthermore, the diagnostic value of the selected ncRNAs was assessed by analyzing the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC).

Results

The results demonstrated that the expression pattern of the selected ncRNAs was significantly different between the studied groups. The levels of HOTAIR, XIST, and miR-34a were remarkably overexpressed in the severe COVID-19 group in comparison with the mild COVID-19 group, and in return, the PVT-1 levels were lower than in the mild COVID-19 group. Interestingly, the XIST expression level in men with severe COVID-19 was higher compared to women with mild COVID-19. ROC results suggested that HOTAIR and PVT-1 could serve as useful biomarkers for screening mild COVID-19 from severe COVID-19.

Conclusions

Overall, different expression patterns of the selected ncRNAs and ROC curve results revealed that these factors can contribute to COVID-19 pathogenicity and can be considered diagnostic markers of COVID-19 severe outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2-associated organs failure and inflammation: a focus on the role of cellular and viral microRNAs

SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for the recent pandemic all over the world, which has caused many complications. One of the hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an induced immune dysregulation, in some cases resulting in cytokine storm syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome and many organs such as lungs, brain, and heart that are affected during the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several physiological parameters are altered as a result of infection and cytokine storm. Among them, microRNAs (miRNAs) might reflect this poor condition since they play a significant role in immune cellular performance including inflammatory responses. Both host and viral-encoded miRNAs are crucial for the successful infection of SARS-CoV-2. For instance, dysregulation of miRNAs that modulate multiple genes expressed in COVID-19 patients with comorbidities (e.g., type 2 diabetes, and cerebrovascular disorders) could affect the severity of the disease. Therefore, altered expression levels of circulating miRNAs might be helpful to diagnose this illness and forecast whether a COVID-19 patient could develop a severe state of the disease. Moreover, a number of miRNAs could inhibit the expression of proteins, such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, spike, and Nsp12, involved in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, miRNAs represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this devastating viral disease. In the current study, we investigated modifications in miRNA expression and their influence on COVID-19 disease recovery, which may be employed as a therapy strategy to minimize COVID-19-related disorders.

Involvement of epigenetics in affecting host immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a highly contagious RNA virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), originated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has become a global public health concern and leads the disease table with the highest mortality rate, highlighting the necessity for a thorough understanding of its biological properties. The intricate interaction between the virus and the host immune system gives rise to diverse implications of COVID-19. RNA viruses are known to hijack the host epigenetic mechanisms of immune cells to regulate antiviral defence. Epigenetics involves processes that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, leading to heritable phenotypic changes. The epigenetic landscape consists of reversible modifications like chromatin remodelling, DNA/RNA methylation, and histone methylation/acetylation that regulates gene expression. The epigenetic machinery contributes to many aspects of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, like global DNA methylation and receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) methylation determines the viral entry inside the host, viral replication, and infection efficiency. Further, it is also reported to epigenetically regulate the expression of different host cytokines affecting antiviral response. The viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 interact with various host epigenetic enzymes like histone deacetylases (HDACs) and bromodomain-containing proteins to antagonize cellular signalling. The central role of epigenetic factors in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is now exploited as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets against COVID-19. This review article highlights the ability of SARS-CoV-2 in regulating the host epigenetic landscape during infection leading to immune evasion. It also discusses the ongoing therapeutic approaches to curtail and control the viral outbreak.

Current understanding on long non-coding RNAs in immune response to COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic threatening the lives and health of people worldwide. Currently, there are no effective therapies or available vaccines for COVID-19. The molecular mechanism causing acute immunopathological diseases in severe COVID-19 is being investigated. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to be involved in many viral infections, such as hepatitis, influenza and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Many lncRNAs present differential expression between normal tissue and virus-infected tissue. However, the role of lncRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to review the relationship between lncRNAs and viral infection, interferon and cytokine storms in COVID-19, hoping to provide novel insights into promising targets for COVID-19 treatment.

Vascular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: update on SARS-CoV-2 infection of endothelial cells and the role of long non-coding RNAs

Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, it may affect also the cardiovascular system. COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disorder (CVD) develop a more severe disease course with a significantly higher mortality rate than non-CVD patients. A common denominator of CVD is the dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs), increased vascular permeability, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, coagulation, and inflammation. It has been assumed that clinical complications in COVID-19 patients suffering from CVD are caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of ECs through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and the cellular transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and the consequent dysfunction of the infected vascular cells. Meanwhile, other factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells have been described, including disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (ADAM17), the C-type lectin CD209L or heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). Here, we discuss the current data about the putative entry of SARS-CoV-2 into endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we highlight the potential role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) affecting vascular permeability in CVD, a process that might exacerbate disease in COVID-19 patients.

Exploration of blood−derived coding and non-coding RNA diagnostic immunological panels for COVID-19 through a co-expressed-based machine learning procedure

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) is the causative virus of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Evaluating the immunological factors and other implicated processes underlying the progression of COVID-19 is essential for the recognition and then the design of efficacious therapies. Therefore, we analyzed RNAseq data obtained from PBMCs of the COVID-19 patients to explore coding and non-coding RNA diagnostic immunological panels. For this purpose, we integrated multiple RNAseq data and analyzed them overall as well as by considering the state of disease including severe and non-severe conditions. Afterward, we utilized a co-expressed-based machine learning procedure comprising weighted-gene co-expression analysis and differential expression gene as filter phase and recursive feature elimination-support vector machine as wrapper phase. This procedure led to the identification of two modules containing 5 and 84 genes which are mostly involved in cell dysregulation and innate immune suppression, respectively. Moreover, the role of vitamin D in regulating some classifiers was highlighted. Further analysis disclosed the role of discriminant miRNAs including miR-197-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-340-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-1307-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-98-5p and their target genes comprising GAN, VWC2, TNFRSF6B, and CHST3 in the metabolic pathways. These classifiers differentiate the final fate of infection toward severe or non-severe COVID-19. The identified classifier genes and miRNAs may help in the proper design of therapeutic procedures considering their involvement in the immune and metabolic pathways.

Are Antisense Long Non-Coding RNA Related to COVID-19?

Fighting external pathogens relies on the tight regulation of the gene expression of the immune system. Ferroptosis, which is a distinct form of programmed cell death driven by iron, is involved in the enhancement of follicular helper T cell function during infection. The regulation of RNA is a key step in final gene expression. The present study aimed to identify the expression level of antisense lncRNAs (A2M-AS1, DBH-AS1, FLVCR1-DT, and NCBP2AS2-1) and FLVCR1 in COVID-19 patients and its relation to the severity of the disease. COVID-19 patients as well as age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The expression level of the antisense lncRNAs was measured by RT-PCR. Results revealed the decreased expression of A2M-AS1 and FLVCR1 in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, they showed the increased expression of DBH-AS1, FLVCR1-DT, and NCBP2AS2. Both FLVCR1-DT and NCBP2AS2 showed a positive correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6). DBH-AS1 and FLVCR1-DT had a significant association with mortality, complications, and mechanical ventilation. A significant negative correlation was found between A2M-AS1 and NCBP2AS2-1 and between FLVCR1 and FLVCR1-DT. The study confirmed that the expression level of the antisense lncRNAs was deregulated in COVID-19 patients and correlated with the severity of COVID-19, and that it may have possible roles in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Therapeutic prospects of ceRNAs in COVID-19

Since the end of 2019, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide, and the understanding of the new coronavirus is in a preliminary stage. Currently, immunotherapy, cell therapy, antiviral therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine have been applied in the clinical treatment of the new coronavirus; however, more efficient and safe drugs to control the progress of the new coronavirus are needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) may provide new therapeutic targets for novel coronavirus treatments. The first aim of this paper is to review research progress on COVID-19 in the respiratory, immune, digestive, circulatory, urinary, reproductive, and nervous systems. The second aim is to review the body systems and potential therapeutic targets of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs in patients with COVID-19. The current research on competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) in SARS-CoV-2 is summarized. Finally, we predict the possible therapeutic targets of four lncRNAs, MALAT1, NEAT1, TUG1, and GAS5, in COVID-19. Importantly, the role of PTEN gene in the ceRNA network predicted by lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA TUG1 may help in the discovery and clinical treatment of effective drugs for COVID-19.

MiRNA-SARS-CoV-2 dialogue and prospective anti-COVID-19 therapies

COVID-19 is a highly transmissible disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), affects 226 countries and continents, and has resulted in >6.2 million deaths worldwide. Despite the efforts of all scientific institutions worldwide to identify potential therapeutics, no specific drug has been approved by the FDA to treat the COVID-19 patient. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns make the potential of publicly known therapeutics to respond to and detect disease onset highly improbable. The quest for universal therapeutics pointed to the ability of RNA-based molecules to shield and detect the adverse effects of the COVID-19 illness. One such candidate, miRNA (microRNA), works on regulating the differential expression of the target gene post-transcriptionally. The prime focus of this review is to report the critical miRNA molecule and their regular expression in patients with COVID-19 infection and associated comorbidities. Viral and host miRNAs control the etiology of COVID-19 infection throughout the life cycle and host inflammatory response, where host miRNAs are identified as a double-edged showing as a proviral and antiviral response. The review also covered the role of viral miRNAs in mediating host cell signaling expression during disease pathology. Studying molecular interactions between the host and the SARS-CoV-2 virus during COVID-19 pathogenesis offers the chance to use miRNA-based therapeutics to reduce the severity of the illness. By utilizing an appropriate delivery vehicle, these small non-coding RNA could be envisioned as a promising biomarker in designing a practical RNAi-based treatment approach of clinical significance.

Impact of Age and Sex on COVID-19 Severity Assessed From Radiologic and Clinical Findings

Background

Data on the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of COVID-19 in patients of different ages and sex are limited. Existing studies have mainly focused on the pediatric and elderly population.

Objective

Assess whether age and sex interact with other risk factors to influence the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Material and Methods

The study sample included all consecutive patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and who were treated from 24 February to 1 July 2020 in Dubai Mediclinic Parkview (560 cases) and Al Ain Hospital (605 cases), United Arab Emirates. We compared disease severity estimated from the radiological findings among patients of different age groups and sex. To analyze factors associated with an increased risk of severe disease, we conducted uni- and multivariate regression analyses. Specifically, age, sex, laboratory findings, and personal risk factors were used to predict moderate and severe COVID-19 with conventional machine learning methods.

Results

Need for O₂ supplementation was positively correlated with age. Intensive care was required more often for men of all ages (p < 0.01). Males were more likely to have at least moderate disease severity (p = 0.0083). These findings were aligned with the results of biochemical findings and suggest a direct correlation between older age and male sex with a severe course of the disease. In young males (18–39 years), the percentage of the lung parenchyma covered with consolidation and the density characteristics of lesions were higher than those of other age groups; however, there was no marked sex difference in middle-aged (40–64 years) and older adults (≥65 years). From the univariate analysis, the risk of the non-mild COVID-19 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in midlife adults and older adults compared to young adults. The multivariate analysis provided similar findings.

Conclusion

Age and sex were important predictors of disease severity in the set of data typically collected on admission. Sexual dissimilarities reduced with age. Age disparities were more pronounced if studied with the clinical markers of disease severity than with the radiological markers. The impact of sex on the clinical markers was more evident than that of age in our study.

miR-155: A Potential Biomarker for Predicting Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

COVID-19, a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its unpredictable clinical course. Prognostic biomarkers may improve care by enabling quick identification of patients who can be safely discharged home versus those who may need careful respiratory monitoring and support. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have risen to prominence as biomarkers for many disease states and as tools to assist in medical decisions. In the present study, we aimed to examine circulating miRNAs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to explore their potential as biomarkers for disease severity. We studied, by quantitative PCR, the expressions of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-155, and miR-499 in peripheral blood. We found that mild COVID-19 patients had 2.5-fold less circulating miR-155 than healthy people, and patients with a severe COVID-19 disease had 5-fold less circulating miR-155 than healthy people. In addition, we found that miR-155 is a good predictor of COVID-19 mortality. We suggest that examining miR-155 levels in patients' blood, upon admission to hospital, will ameliorate the care given to COVID-19 patients.

Adipose tissue and blood leukocytes ACE2 DNA methylation in obesity and after weight loss

BACKGROUND

Obesity was consistently associated with a poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. Epigenetic mechanisms were proposed as the link between obesity and comorbidities risk.

AIM

To evaluate the methylation levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene, the main entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2, in different depots of adipose tissue (AT) and leukocytes (PBMCs) in obesity and after weight loss therapy based on a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), a balanced hypocaloric diet (HCD) or bariatric surgery (BS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA methylation levels of ACE2 were extracted from our data sets generated by the hybridization of subcutaneous (SAT) (n = 32) or visceral (VAT; n = 32) adipose tissue, and PBMCs (n = 34) samples in Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Data were compared based on the degree of obesity and after 4-6 months of weight loss either by following a nutritional or surgical treatment and correlated with ACE2 transcript levels.

RESULTS

As compared with normal weight, VAT from patients with obesity showed higher ACE2 methylation levels. These differences were mirrored in PBMCs but not in SAT. The observed obesity-associated methylation of ACE2 was reversed after VLCKD and HCD but not after BS. Among the studied CpG sites, cg16734967 and cg21598868, located at the promoter, were the most affected and correlated with BMI. The observed DNA methylation pattern was inversely correlated with ACE2 expression.

CONCLUSION

Obesity-related VAT shows hypermethylation and downregulation of the ACE2 gene that is mirrored in PBMCs and is restored after nutritional weight reduction therapy. The results warrant the necessity to further evaluate its implication for COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Sex-Related Factors in Cardiovascular Complications Associated to COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presents with an extremely heterogeneous spectrum of symptoms and signs. The clinical manifestations seem to be correlated with disease severity. COVID-19 susceptibility and mortality show a significant sex imbalance, with men being more prone to infection and showing a higher rate of hospitalization and mortality compared to women. Such variability can be ascribed to both sex-related biological factors and gender-related behavioral cues. This review will discuss the potential mechanisms accounting for sex/gender influence in vulnerability to COVID-19. Cardiovascular diseases play a central role in determining COVID-19 outcome, whether they are pre-existent or arose upon infection. We will pay particular attention to the impact of sex and gender on cardiovascular manifestations related to COVID-19. Finally, we will discuss the sex-dependent variability in some biomarkers for the evaluation of COVID-19 infection and prognosis. The aim of this work is to highlight the significance of gendered medicine in setting up personalized programs for COVID-19 prevention, clinical evaluation and treatment.

New insights into genetic characteristics between multiple myeloma and COVID-19: An integrative bioinformatics analysis of gene expression omnibus microarray and the cancer genome atlas data

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection correlates with MM features. This study aimed to identify MM prognostic biomarkers with potential association with COVID‐19.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in five MM data sets (GSE47552, GSE16558, GSE13591, GSE6477, and GSE39754) with the same expression trends were screened out. Functional enrichment analysis and the protein‐protein interaction network were performed for all DEGs. Prognosis‐associated DEGs were screened using the stepwise Cox regression analysis in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) MMRF‐CoMMpass cohort and the GSE24080 data set. Prognosis‐associated DEGs associated with COVID‐19 infection in the GSE164805 data set were also identified.

Results

A total of 98 DEGs with the same expression trends in five data sets were identified, and 83 DEGs were included in the protein‐protein interaction network. Cox regression analysis identified 16 DEGs were associated with MM prognosis in the TCGA cohort, and only the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6C (COX6C) gene (HR = 1.717, 95% CI 1.231–2.428, p = .002) and the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2) gene (HR = 0.882, 95% CI 0.798–0.975, p = .014) were independent factors related to MM prognosis in the GSE24080 data set. Both of them were downregulated in patients with mild COVID‐19 infection compared with controls but were upregulated in patients with severe COVID‐19 compared with patients with mild illness.

Conclusions

The NOD2 and COX6C genes might be used as prognostic biomarkers in MM. The two genes might be associated with the development of COVID‐19 infection.

Deciphering epigenetic(s) role in modulating susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 infection and/or outcome: a systematic rapid review

COVID-19 pandemic waves hitting worldwide result in drastic postinfection complications with interindividual variations, which raised the question for the cause of these observed variations. This urged to think "the impact of environment-affected genes"? In an attempt to unravel the impact of environment-affected genes, a systematic rapid review was conducted to study "the impact of host or viral epigenetic modulation on COVID-19 infection susceptibility and/or outcome." Electronic databases including Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Google Scholar, and other databases were searched. The search strings included "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" AND (Epigenetics'). Articles with randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational study designs, conducted on humans and available in the English language, were selected, with respect to "The interplay between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and Epigenetics" published from 2020 to February 2021 (but not limited to 2020, being expanded to 2015). Database search yielded 1330 articles; after screening, exclusion, and further filtrations, 51 articles were included. Susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is related to the viral-microRNAs (miRNAs) which alter virulence of the transmitted SARS-CoV-2 strains and impact host-miRNA-related innate immunity. Host-DNA methylation and/or chromatin remodeling may be implicated in severe cytokine storm that can ultimately results in fatal outcome.

The potential use of microRNAs as a therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, there is no effective therapeutic approach for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized to target the viral genome directly or indirectly, thereby inhibiting viral replication. Several studies have demonstrated that host miRNAs target different sites in SARS-CoV-2 RNA and constrain the production of essential viral proteins. Furthermore, miRNAs have lower toxicity, are more immunogenic, and are more diverse than protein-based and even plasmid-DNA-based therapeutic agents. In this review, we emphasize the role of miRNAs in viral infection and their potential use as therapeutic agents against COVID-19 disease. The potential of novel miRNA delivery strategies, especially EDV™ nanocells, for targeting lung tissue for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is also discussed.

MiR-200c-3p expression may be associated with worsening of the clinical course of patients with COVID-19

COVID-19 represents a public health emergency, whose mechanism of which is not fully understood. It is speculated that microRNAs may play a crucial role in host cells after infection by SARS-CoV-2. Thus, our study aimed to analyze the expression of miR-200c-3p in saliva samples from patients with COVID-19. One handred eleven samples from patients with COVID-19 were divided into 4 groups. Group I: 39 patients negative for Covid-19; Group II: 37 positive and symptomatic patients, with no indication of hospitalization; Group III: 21 patients with respiratory disorders (hospitalized); Group IV: 14 patients with severe conditions (oxygen therapy). The expression levels of miR-200c-3p were determined using qPCR. We found greater expression of miR-200c-3p in patients in group IV (p<0.0001), and also verified that patients aged ≥42 years had a higher expression of this miR (p=0.013). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the expression of miR-200c-3p and systemic arterial hypertension are factors independently associated with patients in group IV (p<0.0001). Our results suggest that miR-200c-3p is a predictor of severity independent of COVID-19 risk factors, which could represent a way of screening patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 pandemic: insights into molecular mechanisms leading to sex-based differences in patient outcomes

Recent epidemiological studies analysing sex-disaggregated patient data of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across the world revealed a distinct sex bias in the disease morbidity as well as the mortality - both being higher for the men. Similar antecedents have been known for the previous viral infections, including from coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle-east respiratory syndrome (MERS). A sound understanding of molecular mechanisms leading to the biological sex bias in the survival outcomes of the patients in relation to COVID-19 will act as an essential requisite for developing a sex-differentiated approach for therapeutic management of this disease. Recent studies which have explored molecular mechanism(s) behind sex-based differences in COVID-19 pathogenesis are scarce; however, existing evidence, for other respiratory viral infections, viz. SARS, MERS and influenza, provides important clues in this regard. In attempt to consolidate the available knowledge on this issue, we conducted a systematic review of the existing empirical knowledge and recent experimental studies following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The qualitative analysis of the collected data unravelled multiple molecular mechanisms, such as evolutionary and genetic/epigenetic factors, sex-linkage of viral host cell entry receptor and immune response genes, sex hormone and gut microbiome-mediated immune-modulation, as the possible key reasons for the sex-based differences in patient outcomes in COVID-19.

Polyphenols Could Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Modulating the Expression of miRNAs in the Host Cells

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses which following virus attachment and entry into the host cell, particularly type 2 pneumocytes but also endothelial cells, release RNA into cytosol where it serves as a matrix for the host translation machinery to produce viral proteins. The viral RNA in cytoplasm can interact with host cell microRNAs which can degrade viral RNA and/or prevent viral replication. As such host cellular miRNAs represent key cellular mediators of antiviral defense. Polyphenols, plant food bioactives, exert antiviral properties, which is partially due to their capacity to modulate the expression of miRNAs. The objective of this work was to assess if polyphenols can play a role in prevention of SARS-CoV-2 associated complications by modulating the expression of host miRNAs. To test this hypothesis, we performed literature search to identify miRNAs that could bind SARS-CoV-2 RNA as well as miRNAs which expression can be modulated by polyphenols in lung, type 2 pneumocytes or endothelial cells. We identified over 600 miRNAs that have capacity to bind viral RNA and 125 miRNAs which expression can be modulated by polyphenols in the cells of interest. We identified that there are 17 miRNAs with both the capacity to bind viral RNA and which expression can be modulated by polyphenols. Some of these miRNAs have been identified as having antiviral properties or can target genes involved in regulation of processes of viral replication, apoptosis or viral infection. Taken together this analysis suggests that polyphenols could modulate expression of miRNAs in alveolar and endothelial cells and exert antiviral capacity.

miRNAs; a novel strategy for the treatment of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is the seventh member of the bat severe acute respiratory syndrome family. COVID‐19 can fuse their envelopes with the host cell membranes and deliver their genetic material. COVID‐19 attacks the respiratory system and stimulates the host inflammatory responses, enhances the recruitment of immune cells, and promotes angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 activities. Patients with confirmed COVID‐19 may have experienced fever, dry cough, headache, dyspnea, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute heart injury. Several strategies such as oxygen therapy, ventilation, antibiotic or antiviral therapy, and renal replacement therapy are commonly used to decrease COVID‐19‐associated mortality. However, these approaches may not be good treatment options. Therefore, the search for an alternative‐novel therapy is urgently important to prevent the disease progression. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a promising strategy for COVID‐19. The design of oligonucleotide against the genetic material of COVID‐19 might suppress virus RNA translation. Several previous studies have shown that host miRNAs play an antiviral role and improve the treatment of patients with COVID‐19. miRNAs by binding to the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) or 5′‐UTR of viral RNA play an important role in COVID‐19‐host interplay and viral replication. miRNAs interact with multiple pathways and reduce inflammatory biomarkers, thrombi formation, and tissue damage to accelerate the patient outcome. The information in this review provides a summary of the current clinical application of miRNAs for the treatments of patients with COVID‐19.

The Physiological Mechanisms of the Sex-Based Difference in Outcomes of COVID19 Infection

The scale of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has thrust a spotlight on the sex-based differences in response to viral diseases; morbidity and mortality are greater in men than women. We outline the mechanisms by which being female offers a degree of protection from COVID19, that persists even when confounders such as comorbidities are considered. The physiological and immunological mechanisms are fascinating and range from incomplete X chromosome inactivation of immune genes, a crucial role for angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and regulation of both immune activity and ACE2 by sex steroids. From this flows understanding of why lung and other organs are more susceptible to COVID19 damage in men, and how their distinct immunological landscapes need to be acknowledged to guide prognosis and treatment. Pregnancy, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy bring changed hormonal environments and the need for better stratification in COVID19 studies. We end by noting clinical trials based on increasing estrogens or progesterone or anti-testosterone drugs; excellent examples of translational physiology.

Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Italian Patients: Gender Differences in Presentation and Severity

BACKGROUND

In the first wave of the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infections, Italy experienced a heavy burden of hospital admissions for acute respiratory distress syndromes associated with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Early evidence suggested that females are less affected than males.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the gender-related differences in presentation and severity among COVID-19 patients admitted to IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study included all patients admitted to the hospital between February 25 and April 19, 2020, with a positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19. The following data were collected: date of admission, gender, age and details of intensive care unit admission and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 901 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital and provided consent for the study. Of these, 284 were female (31.5%). The percentage of admitted female patients significantly increased over time (25.9% of all admissions in the first half of the study period vs. 37.1% in the second half; P < 0.001). Females accounted for 14.4% of all COVID-19 intensive care unit admissions. There was no gender-based difference in the overall hospital mortality: 20.1% for females and 19.2% for males (P = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

In our hospital, which was in the epicenter of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, female patients were few, presented late and were less critical than male patients.

Non-Coding RNAs and SARS-Related Coronaviruses

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 has caused a major health and economic crisis around the globe. Gaining knowledge about its attributes and interactions with human host cells is crucial. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the host cells’ innate antiviral immune response. In RNA interference, microRNAs (miRNAs) may bind to complementary sequences of the viral RNA strand, forming an miRNA-induced silencing complex, which destroys the viral RNA, thereby inhibiting viral protein expression. There are several targets for human miRNAs on SARS-CoV-2’s RNA, most of which are in the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions. Mutations of the viral genome causing the creation or loss of miRNA binding sites may have crucial effects on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. In addition to mediating immunity, the ncRNA landscape of host cells further influences their susceptibility to virus infection, as certain miRNAs are essential in the regulation of cellular receptors that are necessary for virus invasion. Conversely, virus infection also changes the host ncRNA expression patterns, possibly augmenting conditions for viral replication and dissemination. Hence, ncRNAs typically upregulated in SARS-CoV-2 infection could be useful biomarkers for disease progression and severity. Understanding these mechanisms could provide further insight into the pathogenesis and possible treatment options against COVID-19.