The potential use of microRNAs as a therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Jiulue Hu,Hamed Serati-Nouri,Mohammed Junaid Hussain Dowlath,Saman Yasamineh,Pooneh Yasamineh,Jelena Stojanović,Sathish Kumar Karuppannan

doi:10.1007/s00705-021-05152-5

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, there is no effective therapeutic approach for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized to target the viral genome directly or indirectly, thereby inhibiting viral replication. Several studies have demonstrated that host miRNAs target different sites in SARS-CoV-2 RNA and constrain the production of essential viral proteins. Furthermore, miRNAs have lower toxicity, are more immunogenic, and are more diverse than protein-based and even plasmid-DNA-based therapeutic agents. In this review, we emphasize the role of miRNAs in viral infection and their potential use as therapeutic agents against COVID-19 disease. The potential of novel miRNA delivery strategies, especially EDV™ nanocells, for targeting lung tissue for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is also discussed.

Highlights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is a new member of the family Coronaviridae that mainly targets the respiratory system in humans, resulting in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries is of concern because some of these mutations lie in the viral receptor binding site for cell entry and enhance binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)
The N and S coding regions targeted by the miRNAs co-opt downregulated miR-223 and miR98, respectively, within bronchoalveolar stem cells (BASCs) to regulate the different phases of BASC differentiation, activation of inflammatory chemokines, and downregulation of ACE2, promoting effective viral transmission and replication within BASCs and continuous decay of lung tissue [92] (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is a new member of the family Coronaviridae that mainly targets the respiratory system in humans, resulting in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Virus infection can cause up- or downregulation of host miRNAs, inhibiting the immune response or promoting viral replication. These up/downregulated miRNAs target the viral genome directly or indirectly to control viral replication and promote or inhibit the innate immune system and cell apoptosis in viral infection [176].

Results

Conclusion