04/08/2020
microRNA contained within MSC exosomes reduces expression of inflammatory proteins involved in the cytokine storm that causes lung damage in COVID-19.
🧬miR-146a-5p reduces the levels of inflammatory mediators (eg. IL-6 & TNF-α) and increases the level of anti-inflammatory mediators (ie. IL-10). This microRNA also promotes polarization of macrophages, immune cells responsible for removal of cellular debris, to a more regulatory type (ie. M1 → M2) that reduces the level of inflammatory mediators and increases clearance of pathogens, microbes and damaged cells.
🧬miR-223 reduces the levels of the most important inflammatory mediators (eg. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB) involved in the inflammatory response that causes cytokine storm.
🧬Reduction in the levels of inflammatory mediators could help to arrest the progressive damage to the lungs that occurs in more severe cases of COVID-19.