COVID-19's difficulty in being overcome could potentially be influenced by 13 distinct gene regions within our genome, according to recent findings.
Over 4 million people worldwide have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. As the global fight against the virus continues, researchers are delving deeper into understanding the role of genetics in the disease.
One significant study, the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, launched in March 2020, is one of the largest genome-wide association studies to date. This collaborative effort, involving 19 countries, has already provided valuable insights into the role of genetics in COVID-19.
The study has identified genetic predispositions that may influence recovery speed and symptom duration. For instance, variants in the FOXP4 gene have been linked consistently to an increased risk of developing long COVID. These genetic factors, combined with environmental factors and the severity of acute infection (especially if hospitalization was required), determine whether symptoms persist.
The findings suggest a causal connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID. This means that both inherited genetic differences and factors such as the severity of initial illness determine recovery speed and symptom duration. This explanation sheds light on why while most recover within weeks, about one in eight still experience symptoms months later.
The study has also uncovered other genetic links. The ABO gene, which determines a person's blood type, has been linked to an increased susceptibility of 9 to 12 percent to infections. The DPP9 gene, known to play a role in lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, was linked to an increased risk of severe COVID-19. The TYK2 gene, involved in some autoimmune diseases, was found to be associated with increased severity of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative involves approximately 50,000 COVID-19 patients. The team hopes their findings could guide the adaptation of existing drugs for other diseases to treat COVID-19. The study's findings could potentially open up new avenues for therapeutic agents against the virus.
Researchers are still generating new data from this study, and they hope to uncover why some people may experience long-term COVID-19 symptoms, while others recover quickly. The variability in long COVID outcomes can be attributed to genetic susceptibility, the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness, and environmental and possibly other biological factors.
However, no other strong genetic links to related conditions like Guillain-Barré Syndrome were confirmed, highlighting the specific genetic factors relevant to long COVID symptoms. This study, published in Nature, identified 13 genomic loci linked to the severity and susceptibility of COVID-19.
As the battle against COVID-19 continues, understanding the genetic factors involved in the disease's severity and susceptibility is crucial. This knowledge could lead to more targeted treatments and preventive measures, helping to protect those most at risk and ultimately ending the pandemic.
- The COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative has provided valuable insights into the role of genetics in COVID-19, with researchers identifying genetic predispositions that may influence recovery speed and symptom duration, such as variants in the FOXP4 gene that have been linked to an increased risk of developing long COVID.
- The study has also uncovered other genetic links to medical-conditions, with the DPP9 gene being linked to an increased risk of severe COVID-19, and the TYK2 gene being found to be associated with increased severity of COVID-19, which could impact health-and-wellness of those affected by the virus.
