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Rahmani A, Soleymani A, Almukhtar M, Behzad Moghadam K, Vaziri Z, Hosein Tabar Kashi A, Adabi Firoozjah R, Jafari Tadi M, Zolfaghari Dehkharghani M, Valadi H, Moghadamnia AA, Gasser RB, Rostami A. Exosomes, and the potential for exosome-based interventions against COVID-19. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2562. [PMID: 38924213 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Since late 2019, the world has been devastated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 760 million people affected and ∼seven million deaths reported. Although effective treatments for COVID-19 are currently limited, there has been a strong focus on developing new therapeutic approaches to address the morbidity and mortality linked to this disease. An approach that is currently being investigated is the use of exosome-based therapies. Exosomes are small, extracellular vesicles that play a role in many clinical diseases, including viral infections, infected cells release exosomes that can transmit viral components, such as miRNAs and proteins, and can also include receptors for viruses that facilitate viral entry into recipient cells. SARS-CoV-2 has the ability to impact the formation, secretion, and release of exosomes, thereby potentially facilitating or intensifying the transmission of the virus among cells, tissues and individuals. Therefore, designing synthetic exosomes that carry immunomodulatory cargo and antiviral compounds are proposed to be a promising strategy for the treatment of COVID-19 and other viral diseases. Moreover, exosomes generated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) might be employed as cell-free therapeutic agents, as MSC-derived exosomes can diminish the cytokine storm and reverse the suppression of host anti-viral defences associated with COVID-19, and boost the repair of lung damage linked to mitochondrial activity. The present article discusses the significance and roles of exosomes in COVID-19, and explores potential future applications of exosomes in combating this disease. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, exosome-based therapies could represent a promising avenue for improving patient outcomes and reducing the impact of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Rahmani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Soleymani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Kimia Behzad Moghadam
- Independent Researcher, Former University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zahra Vaziri
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Hosein Tabar Kashi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Reza Adabi Firoozjah
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Jafari Tadi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Maryam Zolfaghari Dehkharghani
- Department of Healthcare Administration and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Hadi Valadi
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ali Akbar Moghadamnia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Sefatjoo Z, Mohebbi SR, Hosseini SM, Shoraka S, Saeedi Niasar M, Baghaei K, Meyfour A, Sadeghi A, Malekpour H, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Zali MR. Evaluation of long non-coding RNAs EGOT, NRAV, NRIR and mRNAs ISG15 and IFITM3 expressions in COVID-19 patients. Cytokine 2024; 175:156495. [PMID: 38184893 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Individuals with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may show no symptoms to moderate or severe complications. This variation may be due to differences in the strength of the immune response, including a delayed interferon (IFN) response in asymptomatic patients and higher IFN levels in severe patients. Some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as regulators of the IFN pathway, may contribute to the emergence of different COVID-19 symptoms. This study aimed to comparatively investigate the relationship between lncRNAs (eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT), negative regulator of antiviral response (NRAV), and negative regulator of interferon response (NRIR)), alongside interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) like ISG-15 and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) in COVID-19 patients with asymptomatic, moderate, and severe symptoms. Buffy coat samples were collected from 17 asymptomatic, 23 moderate, 22 severe patients, and 44 healthy controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to determine the expression levels. In a comparison between COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals, higher expression levels of EGOT and NRAV were observed in severe and moderate patients. NRIR expression was increased across all patient groups. Meanwhile, ISG15 expression decreased in all patient groups, and the moderate group showed a significant decrease in IFITM3 expression. Comparing COVID-19 patient groups, EGOT expression was significantly higher in moderate COVID-19 patients compared to asymptomatic patients. NRAV was higher in moderate and severe patients compared to asymptomatic. NRIR levels did not differ significantly between the COVID-19 patient groups. ISG15 was higher in moderate and severe patients compared to asymptomatic. IFITM3 expression was significantly higher in severe patients compared to the moderate group. In severe COVID-19 patients, EGOT expression was positively correlated with NRAV levels. EGOT and NRAV showed a significant positive correlation in asymptomatic patients, and both were positively correlated with IFITM3 expression. This study suggests that EGOT, NRAV, NRIR, ISG15, and IFITM3 may serve as diagnostic biomarkers for COVID-19. The lncRNA NRAV may be a good biomarker in a prognostic panel between asymptomatic and severe patients in combination with other high-sensitivity biomarkers. EGOT, NRAV, and ISG15 could also be considered as specific biomarkers in a prognostic panel comparing asymptomatic and moderate patients with other high-sensitivity biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sefatjoo
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Masoud Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Shoraka
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Saeedi Niasar
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anna Meyfour
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habib Malekpour
- Research and Development Center, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Shaker O, El Amir M, Elfatah YA, Elwi HM. Expression patterns of lncRNA MALAT-1 in SARS-COV-2 infection and its potential effect on disease severity via miR-200c-3p and SIRT1. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101562. [PMID: 37965063 PMCID: PMC10641570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Downregulating Angiotensin Converting Enzyme2 (ACE2) expression may be a shared mechanism for RNA viruses. Aim Evaluate the expressions of ACE2 effectors: the long non-coding RNA 'MALAT-1', the micro-RNA 'miR-200c-3p' and the histone deacetylase 'SIRT1' in SARS-COV-2 patients and correlate to disease severity. Sera samples from 98 SARS-COV-2 patients and 30 healthy control participants were collected. qRT-PCR was used for MALAT-1 and miR-200c-3p expression. SIRT1 was measured using ELISA. Results In sera of COVID-19 patients, gene expression of miR-200c-3p is increased while MALAT-1 is decreased. SIRT1 protein level is decreased (P value < 0.001). Findings are accentuated with increased disease severity. Serum MALAT-1, miR-200c-3p and SIRT1 could be used as diagnostic markers at cut off values of 0.04 (95.9 % sensitivity), 5.59 (94.9 % sensitivity, 99 % specificity), and 7.4 (98 % sensitivity) respectively. A novel MALAT-1-miR-200c-3p-SIRT1 pathway may be involved in the regulation of SARS-COV-2 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olfat Shaker
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Monica El Amir
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Abd Elfatah
- Internal Medicine, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Heba M. Elwi
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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Naeli P, Zhang X, Snell PH, Chatterjee S, Kamran M, Ladak RJ, Orr N, Duchaine T, Sonenberg N, Jafarnejad SM. The SARS-CoV-2 protein NSP2 enhances microRNA-mediated translational repression. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261286. [PMID: 37732428 PMCID: PMC10617620 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses use microRNAs (miRNAs) to impair the host antiviral response and facilitate viral infection by expressing their own miRNAs or co-opting cellular miRNAs. miRNAs inhibit translation initiation of their target mRNAs by recruiting the GIGYF2-4EHP (or EIF4E2) translation repressor complex to the mRNA 5'-cap structure. We recently reported that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-encoded non-structural protein 2 (NSP2) interacts with GIGYF2. This interaction is critical for blocking translation of the Ifnb1 mRNA that encodes the cytokine interferon β, and thereby impairs the host antiviral response. However, it is not known whether NSP2 also affects miRNA-mediated silencing. Here, we demonstrate the pervasive augmentation of miRNA-mediated translational repression of cellular mRNAs by NSP2. We show that NSP2 interacts with argonaute 2 (AGO2), the core component of the miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC), via GIGYF2 and enhances the translational repression mediated by natural miRNA-binding sites in the 3' untranslated region of cellular mRNAs. Our data reveal an additional layer of the complex mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 and likely other coronaviruses manipulate the host gene expression program by co-opting the host miRNA-mediated silencing machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Naeli
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Patric Harris Snell
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Susanta Chatterjee
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Reese Jalal Ladak
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Nick Orr
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Thomas Duchaine
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Seyed Mehdi Jafarnejad
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
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Salvati A, Ferravante C, Lamberti J, Rocco T, Alexandrova E, D'Agostino Y, Sorokin M, Efimov V, Buzdin A, Strianese O, Nassa G, Tarallo R, Weisz A, Rizzo F, Giurato G. Host nasopharyngeal transcriptome dataset of a SARS-CoV-2 positive Italian cohort. Sci Data 2023; 10:379. [PMID: 37316506 PMCID: PMC10264883 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02289-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected millions of people worldwide and has significant implications for public health. Host transcriptomics profiling provides comprehensive understanding of how the virus interacts with host cells and how the host responds to the virus. COVID-19 disease alters the host transcriptome, affecting cellular pathways and key molecular functions. To contribute to the global effort to understand the virus's effect on host cell transcriptome, we have generated a dataset from nasopharyngeal swabs of 35 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 from the Campania region in Italy during the three outbreaks, with different clinical conditions. This dataset will help to elucidate the complex interactions among genes and can be useful in the development of effective therapeutic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Salvati
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferravante
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Teresa Rocco
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Elena Alexandrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Ylenia D'Agostino
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Maksim Sorokin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
- OmicsWay Corp, Walnut, USA
- Oncobox Ltd., Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Efimov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
- Oncobox Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- World-Class Research Center 'Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare', Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Buzdin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
- World-Class Research Center 'Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare', Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Oriana Strianese
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy.
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi 14 d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy.
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Sa), 84081, Italy.
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Di Salvatore V, Crispino E, Maleki A, Nicotra G, Russo G, Pappalardo F. Computational identification of differentially-expressed genes as suggested novel COVID-19 biomarkers: A bioinformatics analysis of expression profiles. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3339-3354. [PMID: 37347079 PMCID: PMC10259169 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, and since then, it has not stopped spreading like wildfire in almost every corner of the world, despite the many efforts made to stem its spread. SARS-CoV-2 has one of the biggest genomes among RNA viruses and presents unique characteristics that differentiate it from other coronaviruses, making it even more challenging to find a cure or vaccine that is efficient enough. This work aims, using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data, to evaluate whether the expression of specific human genes in the host can vary in different grades of disease severity and to determine the molecular origins of the differences in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in different patients. In addition to quantifying gene expression, data coming from RNA-Seq allow for the discovery of new transcripts, the identification of alternative splicing events, the detection of allele-specific expression, and the detection of post-transcriptional alterations. For this reason, we performed differential expression analysis on different expression profiles of COVID-19 patients, using RNA-Seq data coming from NCBI public repository, and we obtained the lists of all differentially expressed genes (DEGs) emerging from 7 experimental conditions. We performed a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) on these genes to find possible correlations between DEGs and known disease phenotypes. We mainly focused on DEGs coming out from the analysis of the contrasts involving severe conditions to infer any possible relation between a worsening of the clinical picture and an over-representation of specific genes. Based on the obtained results, this study indicates a small group of genes that result up-regulated in the severe form of the disease. EXOSC5, MESD, REXO2, and TRMT2A genes are not differentially expressed or not present in the other conditions, being for that reason, good biomarkers candidates for the severe form of COVID-19 disease. The use of specific over-expressed genes, whether up-regulated or down-regulated, which have an individual role in each different condition of COVID-19 as a biomarker, can assist in early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Crispino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Avisa Maleki
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Nicotra
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Mimesis SRL, Catania, Italy
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7
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Hashemi Sheikhshabani S, Amini-Farsani Z, Modarres P, Amini-Farsani Z, Khazaei Feyzabad S, Shaygan N, Hussen BM, Omrani MD, Ghafouri-Fard S. In silico identification of potential miRNAs -mRNA inflammatory networks implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. HUMAN GENE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 36:201172. [PMID: 37520333 PMCID: PMC10085880 DOI: 10.1016/j.humgen.2023.201172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has been found to affect the expression profile of several mRNAs and miRNAs, leading to dysregulation of a number of signaling pathways, particularly those related to inflammatory responses. In the current study, a systematic biology procedure was used for the analysis of high-throughput expression data from blood specimens of COVID-19 and healthy individuals. Differentially expressed miRNAs in blood specimens of COVID-19 vs. healthy specimens were then identified to construct and analyze miRNA-mRNA networks and predict key miRNAs and genes in inflammatory pathways. Our results showed that 171 miRNAs were expressed as outliers in box plot and located in the critical areas according to our statistical analysis. Among them, 8 miRNAs, namely miR-1275, miR-4429, miR-4489, miR-6721-5p, miR-5010-5p, miR-7110-5p, miR-6804-5p and miR-6881-3p were found to affect expression of key genes in NF-KB, JAK/STAT and MAPK signaling pathways implicated in COVID-19 pathogenesis. In addition, our results predicted that 25 genes involved in above-mentioned inflammatory pathways were targeted not only by these 8 miRNAs but also by other obtained miRNAs (163 miRNAs). The results of the current in silico study represent candidate targets for further studies in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Hashemi Sheikhshabani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Amini-Farsani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parastoo Modarres
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Amini-Farsani
- Bayesian Imaging and Spatial Statistics Group, Institute of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Ludwigstraße 33, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Sharareh Khazaei Feyzabad
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Nasibeh Shaygan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
- Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Mir Davood Omrani
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Non-coding RNAs in human health and disease: potential function as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:33. [PMID: 36625940 PMCID: PMC9838419 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00947-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Human diseases have been a critical threat from the beginning of human history. Knowing the origin, course of action and treatment of any disease state is essential. A microscopic approach to the molecular field is a more coherent and accurate way to explore the mechanism, progression, and therapy with the introduction and evolution of technology than a macroscopic approach. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play increasingly important roles in detecting, developing, and treating all abnormalities related to physiology, pathology, genetics, epigenetics, cancer, and developmental diseases. Noncoding RNAs are becoming increasingly crucial as powerful, multipurpose regulators of all biological processes. Parallel to this, a rising amount of scientific information has revealed links between abnormal noncoding RNA expression and human disorders. Numerous non-coding transcripts with unknown functions have been found in addition to advancements in RNA-sequencing methods. Non-coding linear RNAs come in a variety of forms, including circular RNAs with a continuous closed loop (circRNA), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), and microRNAs (miRNA). This comprises specific information on their biogenesis, mode of action, physiological function, and significance concerning disease (such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases and others). This study review focuses on non-coding RNA as specific biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.
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Gambardella J, Kansakar U, Sardu C, Messina V, Jankauskas SS, Marfella R, Maggi P, Wang X, Mone P, Paolisso G, Sorriento D, Santulli G. Exosomal miR-145 and miR-885 Regulate Thrombosis in COVID-19. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:109-115. [PMID: 35772782 PMCID: PMC9827505 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that exosomal microRNAs could be implied in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We isolated circulating exosomes from patients with COVID-19, and then we divided our population in two arms based on the D-dimer level on hospital admission. We observed that exosomal miR-145 and miR-885 significantly correlate with D-dimer levels. Moreover, we demonstrate that human endothelial cells express the main cofactors needed for the internalization of the "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2), including angiotensin converting enzyme 2, transmembrane protease serine 2, and CD-147. Interestingly, human endothelial cells treated with serum from COVID-19 patients release significantly less miR-145 and miR-885, exhibit increased apoptosis, and display significantly impaired angiogenetic properties compared with cells treated with non-COVID-19 serum. Taken together, our data indicate that exosomal miR-145 and miR-885 are essential in modulating thromboembolic events in COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work demonstrates for the first time that two specific microRNAs (namely miR-145 and miR-885) contained in circulating exosomes are functionally involved in thromboembolic events in COVID-19. These findings are especially relevant to the general audience when considering the emerging prominence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 systemic manifestations known as Long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gambardella
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Urna Kansakar
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Celestino Sardu
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Messina
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Stanislovas S Jankauskas
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Paolo Maggi
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Xujun Wang
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Pasquale Mone
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Paolisso
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Daniela Sorriento
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Gaetano Santulli
- Department of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.G., U.K., S.S.J., X.W., P.Mo.) and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research (G.S.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, New York; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., D.S., G.S.); Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (C.S., R.M., P. Ma., G.P.), and Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine (P.Ma.) University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Infectious Disease Unit, "Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy (V.M.)
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10
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Izzo C, Visco V, Gambardella J, Ferruzzi GJ, Rispoli A, Rusciano MR, Toni AL, Virtuoso N, Carrizzo A, Di Pietro P, Iaccarino G, Vecchione C, Ciccarelli M. Cardiovascular Implications of microRNAs in Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:102-108. [PMID: 35779946 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues to be a global challenge due to resulting morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular (CV) involvement is a crucial complication in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and no strategies are available to prevent or specifically address CV events in COVID-19 patients. The identification of molecular partners contributing to CV manifestations in COVID-19 patients is crucial for providing early biomarkers, prognostic predictors, and new therapeutic targets. The current report will focus on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in CV complications associated with COVID-19. Indeed, miRNAs have been proposed as valuable biomarkers and predictors of both cardiac and vascular damage occurring in SARS-CoV-2 infection. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: It is essential to identify the molecular mediators of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cardiovascular (CV) complications. This report focused on the role of microRNAs in CV complications associated with COVID-19, discussing their potential use as biomarkers, prognostic predictors, and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Izzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Valeria Visco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Jessica Gambardella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Germano Junior Ferruzzi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Antonella Rispoli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Rusciano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Anna Laura Toni
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Nicola Virtuoso
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Albino Carrizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Paola Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Guido Iaccarino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Carmine Vecchione
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Michele Ciccarelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
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11
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Host tRNA-Derived RNAs Target the 3'Untranslated Region of SARS-CoV-2. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121479. [PMID: 36558813 PMCID: PMC9786188 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a need for new understanding of the mechanisms regulating host-pathogen interactions during viral infection. Transfer RNA-derived RNAs (tDRs), previously called transfer RNA fragments (tRFs), have recently emerged as potential regulators of viral pathogenesis. Many predictive studies using bioinformatic approaches have been conducted providing a repertoire of potential small RNA candidates for further analyses; however, few targets have been validated to directly bind to SARS-CoV-2 sequences. In this study, we used available data sets to identify host tDR expression altered in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. RNA-interaction-prediction tools were used to identify sequences in the SARS-CoV-2 genome where tDRs could potentially bind. We then developed luciferase assays to confirm direct regulation through a predicted region of SARS-CoV-2 by tDRs. We found that two tDRs were downregulated in both clinical and in vitro cell culture studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Binding sites for these two tDRs were present in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the SARS-CoV-2 reference virus and both sites were altered in Variants of Concern (VOCs) that emerged later in the pandemic. These studies directly confirm the binding of human tDRs to a specific region of the 3'UTR of SARS-CoV-2 providing evidence for a novel mechanism for host-pathogen regulation.
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12
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Anatolou D, Dovrolis N, Ragia G, Kolios G, Manolopoulos VG. Unpacking COVID-19 Systems Biology in Lung and Whole Blood with Transcriptomics and miRNA Regulators. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2022; 26:608-621. [PMID: 36269619 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2022.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a systemic disease affecting tissues and organs, including and beyond the lung. Apart from the current pandemic context, we also have vastly inadequate knowledge of consequences of repeated exposures to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the virus causing COVID-19, in multiple organ systems and the whole organism scales when the disease evolves from a pandemic to an endemic state. This calls for a systems biology and systems medicine approach and unpacking the effects of COVID-19 in lung as well as other tissues. We report here original findings from transcriptomics analyses and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lung samples from 60 patients and 27 healthy controls, and in whole blood samples from 255 patients and 103 healthy individuals. A total of 11 datasets with RNA-seq transcriptomic data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus and the European Nucleotide Archive. The identified DEGs were used to construct protein interaction and functional networks and to identify related pathways and miRNAs. We found 35 DEGs common between lung and the whole blood, and importantly, 2 novel genes, namely CYP1B1 and TNFAIP6, which have not been previously implicated with COVID-19. We also identified four novel miRNA potential regulators, hsa-mir-192-5p, hsa-mir-221-3p, hsa-mir-4756-3p, and hsa-mir-10a-5p, implicated in lung or other diseases induced by coronaviruses. In summary, these findings offer new molecular leads and insights to unpack COVID-19 systems biology in a whole organism context and might inform future antiviral drug, diagnostics, and vaccine discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Anatolou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Individualised Medicine & Pharmacological Research Solutions Center (IMPReS), Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Nikolas Dovrolis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Individualised Medicine & Pharmacological Research Solutions Center (IMPReS), Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgia Ragia
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Individualised Medicine & Pharmacological Research Solutions Center (IMPReS), Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - George Kolios
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Individualised Medicine & Pharmacological Research Solutions Center (IMPReS), Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vangelis G Manolopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Individualised Medicine & Pharmacological Research Solutions Center (IMPReS), Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Academic General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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13
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Non-coding RNA in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and Covid-19 pulmonary fibrosis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:11535-11546. [PMID: 36097114 PMCID: PMC9467421 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is the key feature of majority of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) as well as many patients with post-COVID-19. The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is a complex molecular process that involves myriad of cells, proteins, genes, and regulatory elements. The non-coding RNA mainly miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA are among the key regulators of many protein coding genes and pathways that are involved in pulmonary fibrosis. Identification and molecular mechanisms, by which these non-coding RNA molecules work, are crucial to understand the molecular basis of the disease. Additionally, elucidation of molecular mechanism could also help in deciphering a potential diagnostic/prognostic marker as well as therapeutic targets for IIPs and post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we have provided the latest findings and discussed the role of these regulatory elements in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis associated with Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia and Covid-19.
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Hamdy NM, Shaker FH, Zhan X, Basalious EB. Tangled quest of post-COVID-19 infection-caused neuropathology and what 3P nano-bio-medicine can solve? EPMA J 2022; 13:261-284. [PMID: 35668839 PMCID: PMC9160520 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-022-00285-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19-caused neurological problems are the important post-CoV-2 infection complications, which are recorded in ~ 40% of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Neurodegeneration (ND) is one of the most serious complications. It is necessary to understand its molecular mechanism(s), define research gaps to direct research to, hopefully, design new treatment modalities, for predictive diagnosis, patient stratification, targeted prevention, prognostic assessment, and personalized medical services for this type of complication. Individualized nano-bio-medicine combines nano-medicine (NM) with clinical and molecular biomarkers based on omics data to improve during- and post-illness management or post-infection prognosis, in addition to personalized dosage profiling and drug selection for maximum treatment efficacy, safety with least side-effects. This review will enumerate proteins, receptors, and enzymes involved in CoV-2 entrance into the central nervous system (CNS) via the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and list the repercussions after that entry, ranging from neuroinflammation to neurological symptoms disruption mechanism. Moreover, molecular mechanisms that mediate the host effect or viral detrimental effect on the host are discussed here, including autophagy, non-coding RNAs, inflammasome, and other molecular mechanisms of CoV-2 infection neuro-affection that are defined here as hallmarks of neuropathology related to COVID-19 infection. Thus, a couple of questions are raised; for example, “What are the hallmarks of neurodegeneration during COVID-19 infection?” and “Are epigenetics promising solution against post-COVID-19 neurodegeneration?” In addition, nano-formulas might be a better novel treatment for COVID-19 neurological complications, which raises one more question, “What are the challenges of nano-bio-based nanocarriers pre- or post-COVID-19 infection?” especially in the light of omics-based changes/challenges, research, and clinical practice in the framework of predictive preventive personalized medicine (PPPM / 3P medicine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo Egypt
| | - Fatma H Shaker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo Egypt
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People's Republic of China.,Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People's Republic of China.,Gastroenterology Research Institute and Clinical Center, Shandong First Medical University, 38 Wuying Shan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250031 People's Republic of China
| | - Emad B Basalious
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Al Kasr AlAiny, Cairo, 11562 Egypt
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Abbasi-Kolli M, Sadri Nahand J, Kiani SJ, Khanaliha K, Khatami A, Taghizadieh M, Torkamani AR, Babakhaniyan K, Bokharaei-Salim F. The expression patterns of MALAT-1, NEAT-1, THRIL, and miR-155-5p in the acute to the post-acute phase of COVID-19 disease. Braz J Infect Dis 2022; 26:102354. [PMID: 35500644 PMCID: PMC9035361 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2022.102354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the hallmarks of COVID-19 is overwhelming inflammation, which plays a very important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Thus, identification of inflammatory factors that interact with the SARS-CoV-2 can be very important to control and diagnose the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of inflammation-related non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including MALAT-1, NEAT-1, THRIL, and miR-155-5p from the acute phase to the recovery phase of COVID-19. Methods Total RNA was extracted from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) samples of 20 patients with acute COVID-19 infection and 20 healthy individuals and the expression levels of MALAT-1, NEAT-1, THRIL, and miR-155-5p were evaluated by real-time PCR assay. Besides, in order to monitor the expression pattern of selected ncRNAs from the acute phase to the recovery phase of COVID-19 disease, the levels of ncRNAs were re-measured 6‒7 weeks after the acute phase. Result The mean expression levels of MALAT-1, THRIL, and miR-155-5p were significantly increased in the acute phase of COVID-19 compared with a healthy control group. In addition, the expression levels of MALAT-1 and THRIL in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 were significantly lower than in the acute phase of COVID-19. According to the ROC curve analysis, these ncRNAs could be considered useful biomarkers for COVID-19 diagnosis and for discriminating between acute and post-acute phase of COVID-19. Discussion Inflammation-related ncRNAs (MALAT-1, THRIL, and miR-150-5p) can act as hopeful biomarkers for the monitoring and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Jalal Kiani
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Virology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Khanaliha
- University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Tehran, Iran
| | - AliReza Khatami
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Virology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghizadieh
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Center for Women's Health Research Zahra, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Rajabi Torkamani
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimiya Babakhaniyan
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Virology, Tehran, Iran.
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16
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Sarkar S, Sen R. Insights into Cardiovascular Defects and Cardiac Epigenome in the Context of COVID-19. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6020013. [PMID: 35645252 PMCID: PMC9150012 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although few in number, studies on epigenome of the heart of COVID-19 patients show that epigenetic signatures such as DNA methylation are significantly altered, leading to changes in expression of several genes. It contributes to pathogenic cardiac phenotypes of COVID-19, e.g., low heart rate, myocardial edema, and myofibrillar disarray. DNA methylation studies reveal changes which likely contribute to cardiac disease through unknown mechanisms. The incidence of severe COVID-19 disease, including hospitalization, requiring respiratory support, morbidity, and mortality, is disproportionately higher in individuals with co-morbidities. This poses unprecedented strains on the global healthcare system. While their underlying conditions make patients more susceptible to severe COVID-19 disease, strained healthcare systems, lack of adequate support, or sedentary lifestyles from ongoing lockdowns have proved detrimental to their underlying health conditions, thus pushing them to severe risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) itself. Prophylactic vaccines against COVID-19 have ushered new hope for CHD. A common connection between COVID-19 and CHD is SARS-CoV-2’s host receptor ACE2, because ACE2 regulates and protects organs, including the heart, in various ways. ACE2 is a common therapeutic target against cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 which damages organs. Hence, this review explores the above regarding CHDs, cardiovascular damage, and cardiac epigenetics, in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Sarkar
- New Brunswick Heart Centre, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB E2L 4L2, Canada;
| | - Rwik Sen
- Active Motif, Inc., 1914 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
- Correspondence:
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Abusalah MAH, Khalifa M, Al-Hatamleh MAI, Jarrar M, Mohamud R, Chan YY. Nucleic Acid-Based COVID-19 Therapy Targeting Cytokine Storms: Strategies to Quell the Storm. J Pers Med 2022; 12:386. [PMID: 35330388 PMCID: PMC8948998 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shaken the world and triggered drastic changes in our lifestyle to control it. Despite the non-typical efforts, COVID-19 still thrives and plagues humanity worldwide. The unparalleled degree of infection has been met with an exceptional degree of research to counteract it. Many drugs and therapeutic technologies have been repurposed and discovered, but no groundbreaking antiviral agent has been introduced yet to eradicate COVID-19 and restore normalcy. As lethality is directly correlated with the severity of disease, hospitalized severe cases are of the greatest importance to reduce, especially the cytokine storm phenomenon. This severe inflammatory phenomenon characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory mediators can be targeted to relieve symptoms and save the infected patients. One of the promising therapeutic strategies to combat COVID-19 is nucleic acid-based therapeutic approaches, including microRNAs (miRNAs). This work is an up-to-date review aimed to comprehensively discuss the current nucleic acid-based therapeutics against COVID-19 and their mechanisms of action, taking into consideration the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, as well as providing potential future directions. miRNAs can be used to run interference with the expression of viral proteins, while endogenous miRNAs can be targeted as well, offering a versatile platform to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. By targeting these miRNAs, the COVID-19-induced cytokine storm can be suppressed. Therefore, nucleic acid-based therapeutics (miRNAs included) have a latent ability to break the COVID-19 infection in general and quell the cytokine storm in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Haleem Abusalah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
| | - Moad Khalifa
- School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
| | - Mohammad A. I. Al-Hatamleh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (M.A.I.A.-H.); (R.M.)
| | - Mu’taman Jarrar
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia;
- Medical Education Department, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar 34445, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rohimah Mohamud
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (M.A.I.A.-H.); (R.M.)
| | - Yean Yean Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
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Huang K, Wang C, Vagts C, Raguveer V, Finn PW, Perkins DL. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) NEAT1 and MALAT1 are differentially expressed in severe COVID-19 patients: An integrated single-cell analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261242. [PMID: 35007307 PMCID: PMC8746747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive and damaging inflammation is a hallmark of severe rather than mild Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To uncover key inflammatory differentiators between severe and mild COVID-19, we applied an unbiased single-cell transcriptomic analysis. We integrated two single-cell RNA-seq datasets with COVID-19 patient samples, one that sequenced bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and one that sequenced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The combined cell population was then analyzed with a focus on genes associated with disease severity. The immunomodulatory long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) NEAT1 and MALAT1 were highly differentially expressed between mild and severe patients in multiple cell types. Within those same cell types, the concurrent detection of other severity-associated genes involved in cellular stress response and apoptosis regulation suggests that the pro-inflammatory functions of these lncRNAs may foster cell stress and damage. Thus, NEAT1 and MALAT1 are potential components of immune dysregulation in COVID-19 that may provide targets for severity related diagnostic measures or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Huang
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Catherine Wang
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Christen Vagts
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Vanitha Raguveer
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Patricia W. Finn
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - David L. Perkins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Das T, Das TK, Khodarkovskaya A, Dash S. Non-coding RNAs and their bioengineering applications for neurological diseases. Bioengineered 2021; 12:11675-11698. [PMID: 34756133 PMCID: PMC8810045 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2003667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering of cellular biomolecules is an emerging landscape presenting creative therapeutic opportunities. Recently, several strategies such as biomimetic materials, drug-releasing scaffolds, stem cells, and dynamic culture systems have been developed to improve specific biological functions, however, have been confounded with fundamental and technical roadblocks. Rapidly emerging investigations on the bioengineering prospects of mammalian ribonucleic acid (RNA) is expected to result in significant biomedical advances. More specifically, the current trend focuses on devising non-coding (nc) RNAs as therapeutic candidates for complex neurological diseases. Given the pleiotropic and regulatory role, ncRNAs such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are deemed as attractive therapeutic candidates. Currently, the list of non-coding RNAs in mammals is evolving, which presents the plethora of hidden possibilities including their scope in biomedicine. Herein, we critically review on the emerging repertoire of ncRNAs in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, neuroinflammation and drug abuse disorders. Importantly, we present the advances in engineering of ncRNAs to improve their biocompatibility and therapeutic feasibility as well as provide key insights into the applications of bioengineered non-coding RNAs that are investigated for neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhin Das
- Quanta Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.,RayBiotech, Inc, 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Tushar Kanti Das
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Anne Khodarkovskaya
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Dash
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024 India
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20
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Letter to the Editor Regarding "Pulmonary Embolism Prophylaxis in Patients With COVID-19: an Emerging Issue", Heart Lung Circ. 2021;30(10):1435-41. Heart Lung Circ 2021; 31:e31. [PMID: 34742641 PMCID: PMC8566094 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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