Tackling the COVID-19 "cytokine storm" with microRNA mimics directly targeting the 3'UTR of pro-inflammatory mRNAs. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gasparello, Jessica; Finotti, Alessia; Gambari, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Medical hypotheses. Volume 146(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: miRNAs microRNA -- 3′UTR 3′ untranslated region -- IL interleukin -- mRNA messenger RNA -- ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19 -- Cytokine storm -- microRNAs -- miRNA therapeutics; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9877

Abstract

Abstract: COVID-19 is characterized by two major clinical phases, the SARS-CoV-2 infection of target cells and tissues, and a deep inflammatory state, known as "cytokine storm", caused by activation of pro-inflammatory genes, such as NF-kB, STAT-3, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ß. Among possible anti-inflammatory agents, the "microRNA targeting" should be carefully considered, since it is well known that microRNAs are deeply involved in the expression of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. The working general hypothesis is that targeting the microRNA network might be important for the development of therapeutic approaches to counteract the COVID-19 induction of inflammatory response. This hypothesis is based on several publications demonstrating the use of miRNA mimics for inhibitory effects on the production of proteins characterizing the COVID-19 "cytokine storm".