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. 2021 Dec;15(18):1785-1795.
doi: 10.2217/bmm-2021-0348. Epub 2021 Nov 17.

Role of miRNAs as biomarkers of COVID-19: a scoping review of the status and future directions for research in this field

Marília B Visacri  1 , Aline S Nicoletti  1 , Eder C Pincinato  2 , Pía Loren  3 , Nicolás Saavedra  3 , Kathleen Saavedra  3 , Luis A Salazar  3 , Patricia Moriel  4
Affiliations

Role of miRNAs as biomarkers of COVID-19: a scoping review of the status and future directions for research in this field

Marília B Visacri et al. Biomark Med. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Aim: miRNAs are potential biomarkers of several diseases. This review aimed to identify the miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers of COVID-19. Materials & methods: A literature search of nine databases was carried out for studies published before 13 June 2021 that described dysregulated miRNAs in cells or animals infected by SARS-CoV-2 or in patients with COVID-19. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted data; disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: Twenty studies were included in this scoping review; results suggested that miR-21-5p, miR-146a, miR-126-3p, miR-144 and miR-155 are the most important dysregulated miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and indicating the severity of COVID-19. miRNAs appear to play key roles in viral replication, proliferation of infected cells, immune response, inflammation and cardiovascular dysfunction. Conclusion: This review provides insights into the role of miRNAs as biomarkers in COVID-19 and the current status and future directions for research in this field.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; biomarkers; epigenomics; miRNAs; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) (finance code 001 and 88881.504454/2020-01). MB Visacri is a recipient of a postdoctoral scholarship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) (no.: 88887.504453/2020-00). AS Nicoletti is a recipient of a doctoral scholarship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) (no.: 88887.511334/2020-00). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Study selection flowchart through literature search.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. General mechanisms of miRNAs function in COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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