Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a significant impact on global health, with severe cases often characterized by a worsening cytokine storm. Since it has been described that the NF-kappa B signaling pathway, regulated by microRNAs, could play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response, in this study, the role of miR-9 in modulating NF-kappa B signaling and inflammatory cytokine expression in COVID-19 patients was investigated. This observational retrospective single-center study included 41 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls. Serum samples were analyzed for miR-9, NF-kappa B, and I kappa B alpha expression levels using RT-PCR. The expression levels and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha were measured using RT-PCR and ELISA. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were conducted to explore relationships between these variables. COVID-19 patients, particularly non-survivors, exhibited significantly higher miR-9 and NF-kappa B levels compared to controls. A strong positive correlation was found between miR-9 and NF-kappa B expression (r = 0.813, p < 0.001). NF-kappa B levels were significantly correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.971, p < 0.001), IL-1 beta (r = 0.968, p < 0.001), and TNF-alpha (r = 0.968, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that miR-9 regulates NF-kappa B signaling and inflammation in COVID-19. Elevated miR-9 levels in non-survivors suggest its potential as a severity biomarker. While COVID-19 cases have decreased, targeting miR-9 and NF-kappa B could improve outcomes for other inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, highlighting the need for continued research in this area.

Prezioso, C., Limongi, D., Checconi, P., Ciotti, M., Legramante, J.m., Petrangeli, C.m., et al. (2024). Role of miR-9 in Modulating NF-κB Signaling and Cytokine Expression in COVID-19 Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 25(16), 1-17 [10.3390/ijms25168930].

Role of miR-9 in Modulating NF-κB Signaling and Cytokine Expression in COVID-19 Patients

Jacopo M. Legramante;Francesca Leonardis;Alfredo Giovannelli;Alessandro Terrinoni;Sergio Bernardini;MARILENA MINIERI
;
Cartesio D'Agostini
2024-08-16

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a significant impact on global health, with severe cases often characterized by a worsening cytokine storm. Since it has been described that the NF-kappa B signaling pathway, regulated by microRNAs, could play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response, in this study, the role of miR-9 in modulating NF-kappa B signaling and inflammatory cytokine expression in COVID-19 patients was investigated. This observational retrospective single-center study included 41 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls. Serum samples were analyzed for miR-9, NF-kappa B, and I kappa B alpha expression levels using RT-PCR. The expression levels and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha were measured using RT-PCR and ELISA. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were conducted to explore relationships between these variables. COVID-19 patients, particularly non-survivors, exhibited significantly higher miR-9 and NF-kappa B levels compared to controls. A strong positive correlation was found between miR-9 and NF-kappa B expression (r = 0.813, p < 0.001). NF-kappa B levels were significantly correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.971, p < 0.001), IL-1 beta (r = 0.968, p < 0.001), and TNF-alpha (r = 0.968, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that miR-9 regulates NF-kappa B signaling and inflammation in COVID-19. Elevated miR-9 levels in non-survivors suggest its potential as a severity biomarker. While COVID-19 cases have decreased, targeting miR-9 and NF-kappa B could improve outcomes for other inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, highlighting the need for continued research in this area.
16-ago-2024
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/12
Settore BIOS-09/A - Biochimica clinica e biologia molecolare clinica
English
COVID-19
IL-1β
IL-6
IκBα
NF-κB
TNF-α
miR-9
miRNA
Prezioso, C., Limongi, D., Checconi, P., Ciotti, M., Legramante, J.m., Petrangeli, C.m., et al. (2024). Role of miR-9 in Modulating NF-κB Signaling and Cytokine Expression in COVID-19 Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 25(16), 1-17 [10.3390/ijms25168930].
Prezioso, C; Limongi, D; Checconi, P; Ciotti, M; Legramante, Jm; Petrangeli, Cm; Leonardis, F; Giovannelli, A; Terrinoni, A; Bernardini, S; Minieri, M...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/386584
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