Background & Aims: Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) is a major pandemic that
causes high morbidity and mortality rates. Aim of this study: to detect the relations between many risk
factors, ACE-2, MCP-1, Micro RNA 146 gene expression, and COVID-19 infection and disease severity.
Methods: This study was carried out on 165 cases of COVID-19 and 138 controls. ACE2 and MCP1
levels were measured in COVID-19 cases and control by ELISA and micro-RNA-146 expression by
PCR.
Results: We found an increased blood level of ACE2 and MCP1 in COVID- 19 patients than in
healthy persons and a significant down-regulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression in cases than in
controls. There was a significant correlation between increased blood level of ACE2, regulation of
micro-RNA 146 gene expression and severity of lung affection, a significant correlation was found
between increased blood level of MCP1 and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. Neurological complications
were significantly correlated with more viral load, more ACE2 blood level, and down regulation
of micro RNA146 expression.
Conclusion: High viral load, increased blood level of ACE2, and down-regulation of micro-RNA 146
expression are associated with more severe lung injury and the presence of neurologic complications
like convulsions and coma in COVID-19 Egyptian patients.