Role of furin in the severity of COVID-19 infection via effects on miR-20b and miR-106a.

BACKGROUND

Since 2019, COVID-19 and its mutants have been among the fiercest epidemic viruses. Coronavirus is still affecting the world and will continue through its various mutants, the closest example of which is the XEC mutant. Vaccines are currently available to prevent coronavirus infections. However, the currently approved treatments after infection, especially for severely infected patients, are still limited, and they are not suitable for everyone. Many studies have investigated the ability of furin to repair coronavirus viral proteins, and other studies have shown how important miRNAs are for controlling gene expression.

AIM OF WORK

This work aims to clarify the role of furin and the possibility of alleviating the burden of viral infection with COVID-19 and its mutations via effects on miR-20b and miR-106a.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected blood samples from 40 controls and 50 patients. Each patient provided approximately 3 ml of blood, which was separated for measuring furin by ELISA and extracting RNA for real-time PCR for the relative quantification of miRNAs.

RESULTS

The serum levels of Furin and miR-106 were considerably greater in the COVID-19 group than in the control group; however, the level of miR-20b was considerably greater in the control group than in the patients group.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that furin and miR-20b concentrations could be beneficial in therapeutic approaches against COVID-19.