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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40804645 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-025-00810-0

MicroRNAs in long COVID: roles, diagnostic biomarker potential and detection.

Hum Genomics 19(1):90

Authors: Naomi-Eunicia Paval, Olga Adriana Căliman-Sturdza, Andrei Lobiuc, Mihai Dimian, Ioan-Ovidiu Sirbu, Mihai Covasa

Affiliations

  • Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", 300041, Timisoara, Romania. Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan Cel Mare University, 720229, Suceava, Romania.
  • Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan Cel Mare University, 720229, Suceava, Romania.
  • Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan Cel Mare University, 720229, Suceava, Romania.
  • Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, Manufacturing and Control Distributed Systems (MANSiD), Ştefan Cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229, Suceava, Romania.
  • Department of Computers, Electronics and Automation, Ştefan Cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229, Suceava, Romania.
  • Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", 300041, Timisoara, Romania.
  • Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan Cel Mare University, 720229, Suceava, Romania.

Abstract

Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), marked by persistent symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects multiple organ systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal systems. These prolonged effects stem from chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and direct viral injury. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-small non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation-play a pivotal role in this process by modulating immune responses, inflammation, and cellular stress. Altered miRNA expression patterns during and after infection contribute to the pathogenesis of Long COVID. While conventional miRNA detection techniques have been valuable, they face limitations in sensitivity, throughput, and detecting RNA modifications. This review highlights Oxford Nanopore Sequencing (ONS) as a promising alternative, offering real-time, long-read, amplification-free RNA sequencing that preserves native modifications. ONS enables direct sequencing of full-length miRNAs and their precursors, providing novel insights into miRNA processing and regulatory roles. Despite current challenges with short-read accuracy, ongoing technical advances are improving ONS performance. Its integration in miRNA profiling holds significant potential for uncovering novel regulatory interactions and advancing clinical biomarker discovery in Long COVID and other conditions.

MeSH

Genes, Genomics, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission, Micrornas, Biomarkers, Infections, Post-Acute Covid-19 Syndrome