The Involvement of MicroRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Comorbid with HIV-Associated Preeclampsia

Abstract

Purpose of Review This review investigated the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the synergy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, preeclampsia (PE), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Maternal health is a great concern when treating pregnant women fighting this triad of diseases, which is highly prevalent in South Africa. MicroRNAs are involved in fine-tuning of physiological processes. Disruptions to the balance of this minute protein can lead to various physiological changes that are sometimes pathological. Recent Findings MicroRNAs have recently been implicated in PE and have been linked to the anti-angiogenic imbalance evident in PE. Recent in silico studies have identified potential host miRNAs with anti-viral properties against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated dysregulated expression of several miRNAs in HIV-1 infection along with the ability of HIV-1 to downregulate anti-viral host microRNAs. Summary This review has highlighted the significant gap in literature on the potential of miRNAs in women with HIV-associated PE in synergy with the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, this review has provided evidence of the critical role that the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of miRNA plays in viral infections and PE, thereby providing a foundation for further research investigating the potential of therapeutic miRNA development with fewer side-effects for pregnant women.

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

“…miRNA profiled from the human placenta of infected and uninfected control subjects reported the isolation of a number of miRNAs including miR-21b, miR-29c, miR-98, miR-146, miR-155, miR-190, miR-346, and miR-326 which acts in viral replication through direct-indirect mechanisms and could be potential biomarkers [119] . Complications in pregnancy, including in HIV-associated preeclampsia interlinking SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection, report identification of potential host miRNAs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection properties and differential expression including miR-28, miR-125b, miR-150, miR-223, and miR-382 by the studies of Huang, Jialing et al, while Nersisyan et al, studies report miR-21, miR-195-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-3065-5p, miR-424-5p, and miR-421 miRNAs which can be further studied for their HIV-associated preeclampsia and COVID-19 associations [84] , [120] , [121] . Although it is worth mentioning that the lack of studies correlating SARS-CoV-2 infection and its association with miRNA expression profiles in pregnant women significantly constricts the data and therefore warrants further studies in this field in the future.…”

Neuropilin-1 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, HIV-1, and SARS-CoV-2 infection: A review

“…They target about 60% of the human genome and may serve as potential biomarkers for many diseases ( Friedman et al, 2009 ). Since miRNAs offer fine-tuning of proteinsynthesis, imbalances in their expression may have pathological outcomes ( Abel et al, 2021 ). A systematic approach was employed to isolate miRNAs regulating the NRP1 gene.…”

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2: Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Potential in Preeclampsia Comorbidity with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections

“…Houzet et al observed a decrease in the nef mRNA and viral load that positively correlated with miR-29a suppression [ 118 ]. The decrease in miR-29a in HIV could be a compensatory mechanism to maintain the latent state of infection [ 11 , 119 ]. MiR-16 is upregulated in PE and COVID-19 but downregulated in HIV infection [ 18 , 114 ].…”

“…During the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) lockdown, maternal deaths increased by 30% in SA [ 8 ]. Reportedly, the duality of PE and HIV infection increases susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the triad of diseases impacts inflammatory responses and endothelial function [ 10 , 11 ]. It is vital to ascertain the conceptual framework underlying the interaction of PE, HIV infection, cART usages, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to prevent maternal deaths.…”