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Journal Article Observational Study Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 40128651 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-10803-y

Modulation of RAAS receptors and miRNAs in COVID-19: implications for disease severity, immune response, and potential therapeutic targets.

BMC Infect Dis 25(1):399

Authors: Thais Freitas Barreto Fernandes, Jose Henrique Pilotto, Priscila Alves Cezar, Fernanda Heloise Côrtes, Mariza G Morgado, Carmem Beatriz W Giacoia-Gripp, Nathalia Beatriz Ramos De Sá, Andressa Da Silva Cazote, Agatha Freixinho Neves, Marcel De Souza Borges Quintana, Maria Pia Diniz Ribeiro, Sandra Wagner Cardoso, Valdiléa G Veloso, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Dalziza Victalina De Almeida

Affiliations

  • Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
  • Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
  • Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with ACE2, a key receptor within the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which plays a critical role in maintaining vascular homeostasis, regulating blood pressure, and modulating inflammation. An observational study analyzed the gene expression profiles of RAAS receptors and associated miRNAs in 88 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls, comparing the acute and post-acute phases to assess their impact on disease severity and recovery. Our findings revealed an association between reduced MAS1 expression in both advanced age (P = 0.03) and the need for oxygen supplementation (P = 0.04). Additionally, reduced ACE expression was associated with worse mortality outcomes (P = 0.01). Notably, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) in individuals requiring oxygen supplementation and in those with diabetes mellitus during both the acute and post-COVID-19 phases, further highlighting the impact of these conditions on RAAS. The miRNA analysis revealed significant downregulation of miR-200c (P = 0.005), miR-let-7 (P = 0.01), and miR-122 (P = 0.03) in acute-phase COVID-19 patients. This dysregulation contributes to the inflammatory response and highlights the interaction between viral entry and immune regulation. These results underscore the significance of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS1 axis in inflammation regulation and suggest that targeting this pathway may have therapeutic potential. Our study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis and identifies the modulation of RAAS receptors and miRNAs as promising biomarkers for disease severity and potential therapeutic interventions. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.

MeSH

Diabetes Mellitus, Genes, Micrornas, Covid-19, Immunity, Therapeutics, Communicable Diseases

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