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Pinilla L, Benitez ID, González J, Torres G, Barbé F, de Gonzalo-Calvo D. Peripheral blood microRNAs and the COVID-19 patient: methodological considerations, technical challenges and practice points. RNA Biol 2021; 18:688-695. [PMID: 33530819 PMCID: PMC8078525 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1885188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 emergency pandemic resulting from infection with SARS-CoV-2 represents a major threat to public health worldwide. There is an urgent clinical demand for easily accessible tools to address weaknesses and gaps in the management of COVID-19 patients. In this context, transcriptomic profiling of liquid biopsies, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), has recently emerged as a robust source of potential clinical indicators for medical decision-making. Nevertheless, the analysis of the circulating miRNA signature and its translation to clinical practice requires strict control of a wide array of methodological details. In this review, we indicate the main methodological aspects that should be addressed when evaluating the circulating miRNA profiles in COVID-19 patients, from preanalytical and analytical variables to the experimental design, impact of confounding, analysis of the data and interpretation of the findings, among others. Additionally, we provide practice points to ensure the rigour and reproducibility of miRNA-based biomarker investigations of this condition.Abbreviations: ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; ERDN: early Detection Research Network; LMWH: low molecular weight heparin; miRNA: microRNA; ncRNA: noncoding RNA; SARS-CoV-2: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SOP: standard operating procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Pinilla
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivan D. Benitez
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jessica González
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Respiratory Department, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova-Santa María, Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Gerard Torres
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- Respiratory Department, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova-Santa María, Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ferran Barbé
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Respiratory Department, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova-Santa María, Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - David de Gonzalo-Calvo
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Jusic A, Salgado-Somoza A, Paes AB, Stefanizzi FM, Martínez-Alarcón N, Pinet F, Martelli F, Devaux Y, Robinson EL, Novella S. Approaching Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Non-Coding RNA Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4890. [PMID: 32664454 PMCID: PMC7402336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest cause of sickness and mortality worldwide in both males and females. Clinical statistics demonstrate clear sex differences in risk, prevalence, mortality rates, and response to treatment for different entities of CVD. The reason for this remains poorly understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key mediators and biomarkers of CVD. Similarly, current knowledge on differential regulation, expression, and pathology-associated function of ncRNAs between sexes is minimal. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of what is known on sex differences in ncRNA research in CVD as well as discussing the contributing biological factors to this sex dimorphism including genetic and epigenetic factors and sex hormone regulation of transcription. We then focus on the experimental models of CVD and their use in translational ncRNA research in the cardiovascular field. In particular, we want to highlight the importance of considering sex of the cellular and pre-clinical models in clinical studies in ncRNA research and to carefully consider the appropriate experimental models most applicable to human patient populations. Moreover, we aim to identify sex-specific targets for treatment and diagnosis for the biggest socioeconomic health problem globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amela Jusic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Antonio Salgado-Somoza
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1445 Strassen, Luxembourg; (A.S.-S.); (F.M.S.); (Y.D.)
| | - Ana B. Paes
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Menéndez Pelayo 4 Accesorio, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.B.P.); (N.M.-A.)
| | - Francesca Maria Stefanizzi
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1445 Strassen, Luxembourg; (A.S.-S.); (F.M.S.); (Y.D.)
| | - Núria Martínez-Alarcón
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Menéndez Pelayo 4 Accesorio, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.B.P.); (N.M.-A.)
| | - Florence Pinet
- INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University of Lille, U1167 F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Fabio Martelli
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy;
| | - Yvan Devaux
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1445 Strassen, Luxembourg; (A.S.-S.); (F.M.S.); (Y.D.)
| | - Emma Louise Robinson
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Susana Novella
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, and INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Menéndez Pelayo 4 Accesorio, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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