Retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-1) and IFN-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1) significantly down-regulated in the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Abstract

Retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-1) and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) are the well-known cytoplasmic sensors that recognize microbial DNA or RNA and active down-stream molecules, including IFN-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1) and receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). The roles played by the networked molecules on the infection with SARS-CoV-2 needs more investigations. In this project MDA5, RIG-1, IPS-1 and RIP1 mRNA levels were evaluated in 45 hospitalized patients suffering from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and 45 healthy subjects using Real Time-qPCR technique. The results showed significant decreased RIG-1 and IPS-1 in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients when compared to healthy cases. MDA5 and RIP1 did not change when compared two groups. Male patients had similar expression of MDA5, RIG-1, IPS-1 and RIP1 when compared to female patients. Based on the results, it seems that RIG-1 and its signaling molecule, IPS-1, play key roles in the peripheral blood immune cells against SARS-CoV-2 and, their down-regulation may be induced by the virus to escape from immune responses.