Plasma EV-miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of COVID-19 Vaccine Immune Response in Cancer Patients

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Almeida, B (Author) Other; Dias, TR (Author) Other; Cruz, P (Author) Other; Sousa-Pimenta, M (Author) Other; Teixeira, AL (Author) Other; Pereira, CE (Author) Other; Costa-Silva, B (Author) Other; Oliveira, J (Author) Other; Rui Medeiros (Author) ICBAS; Dias, F (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Vaccines

Vol. 12

Final page: 848

ISSN: 2076-393X

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-011-3GH

DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080848

Abstract (EN): Cancer patients, prone to severe COVID-19, face immune challenges due to their disease and treatments. Identifying biomarkers, particularly extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), is vital for comprehending their response to COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate specific EV-miRNAs in the plasma of cancer patients under active treatment who received the COVID-19 booster vaccine. The selected miRNAs (EV-hsa-miR-7-5p, EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, EV-hsa-miR-145- 5p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p) are involved in regulating SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and cytokine release, making them potential biomarkers for vaccination response. The study involved 54 cancer patients. Plasma and serum samples were collected at pre-boost vaccination, and at 3 and 6 months post-boost vaccination. Anti-spike antibody levels were measured. Additionally, RNA was extracted from EVs isolated from plasma and the expression levels of miRNAs were assessed. The results showed a significantly positive antibody response after COVID-19 boost vaccination. The expression levels of EV-hsa-miR-7-5p, EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p increased significantly after 6 months of COVID-19 booster vaccination. Interestingly, an increased expression of certain EV-hsa-miRNAs was positively correlated. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these correlated miRNAs play a critical role in regulating the targets present in antiviral responses and cytokine production. These findings suggest that EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p may be crucial in immune response induced by mRNA vaccines.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19