In vitro induction of interleukin-8 by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is inhibited in bronchial epithelial IB3-1 cells by a miR-93-5p agomiR.

Abstract

One of the major clinical features of COVID-19 is a hyperinflammatory state, which is characterized by high expression of cytokines (such as IL-6 and TNF-α), chemokines (such as IL-8) and growth factors and is associated with severe forms of COVID-19. For this reason, the control of the "cytokine storm" represents a key issue in the management of COVID-19 patients. In this study we report evidence that the release of key proteins of the COVID-19 "cytokine storm" can be inhibited by mimicking the biological activity of microRNAs. The major focus of this report is on IL-8, whose expression can be modified by the employment of a molecule mimicking miR-93-5p, which is able to target the IL-8 RNA transcript and modulate its activity. The results obtained demonstrate that the production of IL-8 protein is enhanced in bronchial epithelial IB3-1 cells by treatment with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and that IL-8 synthesis and extracellular release can be strongly reduced using an agomiR molecule mimicking miR-93-5p.

• Authors: Jessica Gasparello, Elisabetta d'Aversa, Giulia Breveglieri, Monica Borgatti, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 101 Issue Pt B Pg. 108201 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 34653729 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• CXCL8 protein, human
• Interleukin-8
• MIRN93 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
• spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Topics

• Bronchi (cytology)
• Cell Line
• Epithelial Cells (immunology)
• Humans
• Interleukin-8 (genetics, immunology)
• MicroRNAs
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus (immunology)