Expression analysis of miRNA hsa‐let7b‐5p in naso‐oropharyngeal swabs of COVID‐19 patients supports its role in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 receptors

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the novel coronavirus responsible for worldwide coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). We previously observed that Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) are significantly overexpressed in naso‐oropharyngeal swabs (NPS) of COVID‐19 patients, suggesting their putative functional role in the disease progression. ACE2 and DPP4 overexpression in COVID‐19 patients may be associated to epigenetic mechanism, such as miRNA differential expression. We investigated if hsa‐let7b‐5p, reported to target both ACE2 and DPP4 transcripts, could be involved in the regulation of these genes. We verified that the inhibition and overexpression of hsa‐let7b‐5p matched to a modulation of both ACE2 and DPP4 levels. Then, we observed a statistically significant downregulation (FC = −1.5; p < 0.05) of hsa‐let7b‐5p in the same COVID‐19 and control samples of our previous study. This is the first study that shows hsa‐let7b‐5p low expression in naso‐oropharyngeal swabs of COVID‐19 patients and demonstrates a functional role of this miR in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 levels. These data suggest the involvement of hsa‐let7b‐5p in the regulation of genes necessary for SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and its putative role as a therapeutic target for COVID‐19.

Detection of a Parkinson's Disease–Specific MicroRNA Signature in Nasal and Oral Swabs

“…Because we have demonstrated specific differences between PD and healthy control subjects, our study reveals the principal applicability of using oral and nasal swabs for biomarker testing in PD. In line, recent reports showed successful miRNA‐seq from such swabs 40,41 . Future studies using such material may support the development of useful biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases on a larger scale.…”

“…In line, recent reports showed successful miRNAseq from such swabs. 40,41 Future studies using such material may support the development of useful biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases on a larger scale.…”

Differentially‐regulated miRNAs in COVID‐19: A systematic review

“…Our data showed that 13 studies 53,54,56,57,66,[70][71][72][80][81][82][83]85 compared miRNA regulation in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients without further sub-staging of the disease severity, whereas 22 studies reported their results as an overall and also in sub-groups (Table 2). A total of 404 miRNAs were reported in these studies that showed significant dysregulation in infected patients.…”

“…Collected data showed that of these, most of the studies were published during the year 2021 ( n = 16), 53–68 followed by 2022 ( n = 15), 69–83 with the least numbers in the year 2020 ( n = 4) 53,84–87 (Figure 2a). Although the selected studies were published globally, most of them were reported from China ( n = 8), followed by Italy ( n = 7), Spain ( n = 4), and USA ( n = 3).…”

“…(n = 15), [69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] with the least numbers in the year 2020 (n = 4) 53,[84][85][86][87] (Figure 2a). Although the selected studies were published globally, most of them were reported from China (n = 8), followed by Italy (n = 7), Spain (n = 4), and USA (n = 3).…”