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

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".

• Authors: Jessica Gasparello, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari
• Journal: Medical hypotheses (Med Hypotheses) Vol. 146 Pg. 110415 (Jan 2021) ISSN: 1532-2777 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33422363 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 3' Untranslated Regions
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• MIRN200 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• 3' Untranslated Regions (genetics)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• COVID-19 (genetics, immunology, therapy)
• Cytokine Release Syndrome (genetics, immunology, therapy)
• Humans
• Inflammation (genetics, immunology, therapy)
• MicroRNAs (genetics, therapeutic use)
• Models, Biological
• Molecular Mimicry
• RNA, Messenger (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
• SARS-CoV-2