EXPRESSION FEATURES OF MICRORNAS MIR-155 AND MIR-28 IN PATIENTS WITH LONG COVID AND ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Post-COVID syndrome, known as Long COVID, is characterized by prolonged systemic inflammation and vascular dysfunction, particularly in individuals with arterial hypertension. MicroRNAs, such as miR-155 and miR-28, are regarded as potential molecular markers of these pathological conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the expression patterns of miR-155 and miR-28 in patients with Long COVID depending on the presence of hypertension, and to investigate their associations with markers of inflammation and vascular impairment. A total of 102 patients were examined at least four weeks after recovery from COVID-19. Two groups were formed: patients with hypertension (50 individuals) and without (52 individuals). Plasma levels of miR-155 and miR-28 were measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical and correlation analyses were performed. The results demonstrated that patients with hypertension exhibited elevated expression of miR-155 and reduced levels of miR-28, accompanied by increased concentrations of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, B-type natriuretic peptide, and fibrin degradation products. In contrast, normotensive patients showed more stable biomarker profiles. These findings suggest that miR-155 and miR-28 reflect the degree of inflammatory and vascular activation in Long COVID. The association between hypertension and dysregulation of these microRNAs highlights their potential utility for risk stratification and post-infection monitoring in affected individuals.

1. Soriano JB, Murthy S, Marshall JC, Relan P, Diaz JV. A clinical case definition of post-COVID-19 condition by a Delphi consensus. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(4):e102–e107. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00703-9

2. World Health Organization. A clinical case definition of post COVID-19 condition. WHO, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Post_COVID-19_condition-Clinical_case_definition-2023

3. Pretorius E, Vlok M, Venter C, et al. Persistent clotting protein pathology in Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is accompanied by increased levels of antiplasmin. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21:148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-022-01546-1

4. Charfeddine S, Ibn Hadjamor M, Jdidi J, et al. Long COVID: impact on cardiovascular health and possible mechanisms. Clin Res Cardiol. 2022;111(10):1200–1210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-022-02047-3

5. Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30566-3

6. McGonagle D, O'Donnell JS, Sharif K, Emery P, Bridgewood C. Immune mechanisms of pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy in COVID-19 pneumonia. Lancet Rheumatol. 2020;2(7):e437–e445. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(20)30121-1

7. Xie Y, Xu E, Bowe B, Al-Aly Z. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19. Nat Med. 2022;28(3):583–590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01689-3

8. Li C, Hu X, Li L, et al. Dysregulation of microRNA-155 and its potential role in pathogenesis of COVID-19. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:576977. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.576977

9. Blüml S, Bonelli M, Niederreiter B, et al. Essential role of microRNA-155 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis in mice. Arthritis Rheum. 2011;63(5):1281–1288. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.30285

10. Chen W, Huang Y, Han J, et al. miR-28 modulates the inflammatory response via targeting NF-κB signaling in endothelial cells. Cell Signal. 2017;36:60–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.04.004

11. Zhao X, Wang K, Lyu P, et al. miR-28 controls endothelial barrier function via regulation of inflammatory signaling in hypoxic conditions. Cardiovasc Res. 2021;117(4):1021–1032. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvaa178

12. O’Connell RM, Kahn D, Gibson WSJ, et al. MicroRNA-155 promotes autoimmune inflammation by enhancing inflammatory T cell development. Immunity. 2010;33(4):607–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2010.09.009

13. Yang Y, Tang H, Abernathy J, et al. Cardiovascular comorbidities and COVID-19: a retrospective study in older adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2022;11(4):e023012. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.121.023012

14. Reyes-Uribe P, Ramirez-Gonzalez JE, Figueroa-Vega N, et al. Circulating miRNAs in severe COVID-19: potential roles and challenges. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(9):4701. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094701