Functional signatures of non-coding RNAs plasmacytoma variant translocation 1(PVT-1) and miR-135 in COVID-19

Background: Globally, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had a major impact on the populations, and different responses implemented to control its spread. Limited and controversial data are available regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Objective: In this regard the current aimed to elucidate the relationship of Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT-1) and MicroRNA 135 (miR-135) in COVID-19 and to assess the diagnostic performances of their expression levels to be employed as biomarkers. Furthermore, to investigate the reliable relations of these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with other laboratory indices and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Methods: The study included 30 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls. For all subjects, full medical investigations and laboratory analysis were performed. The expressions of candidate ncRNA; sPVT-1 and miRNA-135 were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: Among COVID-19 patients versus healthy individuals, PVT-1, expression levels were significantly up-regulated, while miRNA-135 expression was down-regulated. Besides miR-135 were negatively correlated. ROC curve analysis indicated diagnostic performances for both miR-135 (AUC = 0.96, p< 0.05) in COVID-19.Conclusion: The PVT-1and miRNA-135 expression levels to be employed as biomarkers to detect severity of COVID-19.