Open Access

Role of microRNAs in cognitive decline related to COVID‑19 (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Anastasia Bougea
    • Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou
    • Ioannis G. Lempesis
    • George Fotakopoulos
    • Petros Papalexis
    • Pagona Sklapani
    • Nikolaos Trakas
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Efthalia Angelopoulou
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 14, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12427
  • Article Number: 139
  • Copyright: © Bougea et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The likelihood and severity of cognitive decline related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) have been shown to be reflected by the severity of the infection and concomitant alterations in specific biomarkers. The present review discusses the role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) as biomarkers in COVID‑19 and the potential molecular mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction related to COVID‑19. A systematic search of published articles was carried out from January 31, 2000 to December 31, 2022 using the PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases, combining the following terms: ‘COVID‑19’ OR ‘SARS‑CoV‑2’ OR ‘post‑COVID‑19 effects’ OR ‘cognitive decline’ OR ‘neurodegeneration’ OR ‘microRNAs’. The quality of the evidence was evaluated as high, moderate, low, or very low based on the GRADE rating. A total of 36 studies were identified which demonstrated reduced blood levels of miR‑146a, miR‑155, Let‑7b, miR 31 and miR‑21 in patients with COVID‑19 in comparison with a healthy group. The overexpression of the Let‑7b may result in the downregulation of BCL‑2 during COVID‑9 by adjusting the immune responses between chronic inflammatory disease, type 2 diabetes, COVID‑19 and cognitive impairment. The reduced expression of miR‑31 is associated with cognitive dysfunction and increased microcoagulability in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2). miR‑155 mediates synaptic dysfunction and the dysregulation of neurotransmitters due to acute inflammation, leading to brain atrophy and a subcortical cognitive profile. The downregulation of miR‑21 in patients with COVID‑19 aggravates systemic inflammation, mediating an uncontrollable immune response and the failure of T‑cell function, provoking cognitive impairment in patients with SARS‑CoV‑2. On the whole, the present review indicates that dysregulated levels of miR‑146a, miR‑155, Let‑7b, miR‑31, and miR‑21 in the blood of individuals with COVID‑19 are associated with cognitive decline, the chronic activation of immune mechanisms, the cytokine storm, and the vicious cycle of damage and systemic inflammation.
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April-2024
Volume 27 Issue 4

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Spandidos Publications style
Bougea A, Georgakopoulou VE, Lempesis IG, Fotakopoulos G, Papalexis P, Sklapani P, Trakas N, Spandidos DA and Angelopoulou E: Role of microRNAs in cognitive decline related to COVID‑19 (Review). Exp Ther Med 27: 139, 2024.
APA
Bougea, A., Georgakopoulou, V.E., Lempesis, I.G., Fotakopoulos, G., Papalexis, P., Sklapani, P. ... Angelopoulou, E. (2024). Role of microRNAs in cognitive decline related to COVID‑19 (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 27, 139. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12427
MLA
Bougea, A., Georgakopoulou, V. E., Lempesis, I. G., Fotakopoulos, G., Papalexis, P., Sklapani, P., Trakas, N., Spandidos, D. A., Angelopoulou, E."Role of microRNAs in cognitive decline related to COVID‑19 (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 27.4 (2024): 139.
Chicago
Bougea, A., Georgakopoulou, V. E., Lempesis, I. G., Fotakopoulos, G., Papalexis, P., Sklapani, P., Trakas, N., Spandidos, D. A., Angelopoulou, E."Role of microRNAs in cognitive decline related to COVID‑19 (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 27, no. 4 (2024): 139. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12427