ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The expression of specific miRNAs and their mRNA targets are changed in infectious disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of pro-neuroinflammatory miRNAs, anti- neuroinflammatory miRNAs, and their mRNA targets in the serum of COVID-19 patients with different grades. METHODS: COVID-19 patients with different grades were enrolled in this study and the expression of pro-neuroinflammatory miRNAs, anti-neuroinflammatory miRNAs, and their target mRNAs was analyzed by q-PCR. RESULTS: The relative expression of anti- neuroinflammatory miRNAs (mir-21, mir-124, and mir-146a) was decreased and the relative expression of their target mRNAs (IL-12p53, Stat3, and TRAF6) was increased. Also, the relative expression of pro-neuroinflammatory miRNAs (mir-326, mir-155, and mir-27b) was increased and the relative expression of their target mRNA (PPARS, SOCS1, and CEBPA) was decreased in COVID-19 patients with increase of disease grade. A negative significant correlation was seen between mir-21 and IL-12p53 mRNA, mir-124 and Stat3 mRNA, mir-146a and TRAF6 mRNA, mir-27b and PPARS mRNA, mir-155 and SOCS1 mRNA, and between mir-326 and CEBPA mRNA in COVID-19 patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the relative expression of anti- neuroinflammatory miRNAs was decreased and the relative expression of their targeted mRNAs was increased in COVID-19 patients from asymptomatic to critical illness. Also, this study showed that the relative expression of pro-neuroinflammatory miRNAs was increased and the relative expression of their targeted mRNA was decreased in COVID-19 patients from asymptomatic to critical illness.