Is the COVID-19 virus pathogenic because it depletes specific host microRNAs?

(University of Alabama at Birmingham) Why is the COVID-19 virus deadly, while many other coronaviruses just cause colds? A team of researchers propose an answer -- the COVID-19 virus acts as a microRNA "sponge." This action modulates host microRNA levels in ways that aid viral replication and stymies the host immune response. This testable hypothesis results from analysis of current literature and a bioinformatic study of the COVID-19 virus and six other coronaviruses.