Evaluation of miRNA-16–2-3P, miRNA-618 levels and their diagnostic and prognostic value in the regulation of immune response during SARS Cov-2 infection

Following the announcement of the pandemic of COVID-19 in December 2019, several studies focused on how to early predict the severity of the disease in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Many cytokines including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrotic factors have been concluded as strong indicators for COVID-19 infection. Additionally, miRNAs have been associated with dysregulation in the immune system. The aim of this study are the following: (1) to estimate the level of miRNA-16–2-3P, miRNA-618, IL-8, IL-1β as predictors for SARS-CoV-2 complications in PCR negative and positive patients; (2) to assess the biological role and effect of these miRNAs on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. Our study showed that the level of IL-1β had been significantly associated with patient who need hospitalization, also the alteration of the level of miRNA-16–2-3P, miRNA-618 is positively correlated with the admission of these patients and influence the outcomes of SARS-cov-2 infection. Measurement of miRNA-16–2-3P, miRNA-618, IL-1β could be a good predictor of COVID-19 patient outcome. However the measurement of IL-8 levels during immune responses in the admitted and in ICU patients could have a prognostic value.