Pattern of Neuroinflammatory miRNAs, C-reactive Protein and Alanine Aminotransferase in Hospitalization In Recovered or Not-recovered COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate the expression of miRNAs, C-reactive protein as a blood inflammation marker, and alanine aminotransferase as a tissue inflammation marker, in recovered and not-recovered COVID-19 patients. Methods: This cross-sectional project was conducted at three medical centers in Iran from December to March 2021. In total, 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with grade III severity and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Subsequently, the neuroinflammatory expression of miRNAs (miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181), C-reactive protein, and alanine aminotransferase was investigated during hospitalization from week 0 to week 2. Results: Among COVID-19 subjects who did not recover, the expression levels of miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181 were decreased, while the levels of C-reactive protein and alanine aminotransferase increased during hospitalization. Conversely, in recovered COVID-19 subjects, the relative expression of miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181 increased and the levels of C-reactive protein and alanine aminotransferase decreased during hospitalization. Conclusion: The expression pattern of neuroinflammatory miRNAs depends on whether the COVID-19 patient is recovering or deteriorating. Their expression is downregulated in COVID-19 patients who do not recover and upregulated in those who do recover.