Abstract
Although the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is still unknown, approximately 20-30% of the patients develop a severe phenotype of respiratory illness associated with an elevated death rate. The development of biomarkers to assist physicians in the management of this disease is a research priority in the field. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as an opportunity in the era of precision medicine to assist in medical decision-making. Here, we aimed to examine the circulating miRNA profile of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to explore its potential role as biomarkers of disease severity.
A total of 54 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included, from which 23 were admitted to clinical wards without requiring critical care, and 31 were admitted to the ICU. Expression profiling of a panel of 41 miRNAs was performed in plasma samples using RT-qPCR. The panel included miRNAs associated with immune/inflammatory response, lung damage, myocardial damage and coagulation. Quality control was performed using spike-ins and hemolysis tests. Prediction models were built to discriminate between ICU and wards patients.
We identified 4 downregulated miRNAs in ICU compared to wards patients: miR-16-5p, miR-92-3p, miR-451a and miR-486-5p. MiR-451a and miR-486-5p exhibited a good discrimination value (AUC= 0.78 and 0.77, respectively). Random forest analyses identified a signature of 3 miRNAs (miR-27a-3p, miR-92a-3p and miR-451a) that displayed an accurate discrimination ability (AUC= 0.84).
This study identifies a profile of circulating miRNAs that is altered in patients with a severe phenotype of COVID-19, revealing for the first time the potential utility of miRNAs in the management of the disease.
A total of 54 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included, from which 23 were admitted to clinical wards without requiring critical care, and 31 were admitted to the ICU. Expression profiling of a panel of 41 miRNAs was performed in plasma samples using RT-qPCR. The panel included miRNAs associated with immune/inflammatory response, lung damage, myocardial damage and coagulation. Quality control was performed using spike-ins and hemolysis tests. Prediction models were built to discriminate between ICU and wards patients.
We identified 4 downregulated miRNAs in ICU compared to wards patients: miR-16-5p, miR-92-3p, miR-451a and miR-486-5p. MiR-451a and miR-486-5p exhibited a good discrimination value (AUC= 0.78 and 0.77, respectively). Random forest analyses identified a signature of 3 miRNAs (miR-27a-3p, miR-92a-3p and miR-451a) that displayed an accurate discrimination ability (AUC= 0.84).
This study identifies a profile of circulating miRNAs that is altered in patients with a severe phenotype of COVID-19, revealing for the first time the potential utility of miRNAs in the management of the disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Barcelona Boston Lung Conference 2021: on Airway Diseases - , Spain Duration: 29 Jan 2021 → 30 Jan 2021 Conference number: 8th https://areacientificamenarini.com/barcelona-boston-lung-conference-2021/ |
Conference
| Conference | Barcelona Boston Lung Conference 2021 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | BBLC21 |
| Country/Territory | Spain |
| Period | 29/01/21 → 30/01/21 |
| Other | The Barcelona Boston Lung Conference has reached its participation record in its 8th edition, to which 654 specialists from Europe, the United States, Latin America and China have joined. The current situation of the coronavirus health crisis has led to this meeting being held for the first time in digital format, which has allowed the dissemination of scientific knowledge beyond an in-person congress. At this year's symposium, various topics of current interest have been presented and discussed, such as the early detection of lung cancer using low-dose CT, the new family of senolytic drugs as a new therapeutic option in respiratory diseases, the progression of COPD or the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. In addition, other topics have been addressed such as pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis, diseases with increasing incidence and high mortality rate. |
| Internet address |
Bibliographical note
Poster presentation by Lucia PinillaKeywords
- COVID-19
- Biomarkers
- MicroRNA biomarkers
- Hospitalized patients
- Hospitalised patients