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Thakur A, Sharma V, Averbek S, Liang L, Pandya N, Kumar G, Cili A, Zhang K. Immune landscape and redox imbalance during neurological disorders in COVID-19. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:593. [PMID: 37673862 PMCID: PMC10482955 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted the scientific community to explore potential treatments or vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the illness. While SARS-CoV-2 is mostly considered a respiratory pathogen, several neurological complications have been reported, raising questions about how it may enter the Central Nervous System (CNS). Receptors such as ACE2, CD147, TMPRSS2, and NRP1 have been identified in brain cells and may be involved in facilitating SARS-CoV-2 entry into the CNS. Moreover, proteins like P2X7 and Panx-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Additionally, the role of the immune system in the gravity of COVID-19 has been investigated with respect to both innate and adaptive immune responses caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can lead to a cytokine storm, tissue damage, and neurological manifestations. A redox imbalance has also been linked to the pathogenesis of COVID-19, potentially causing mitochondrial dysfunction, and generating proinflammatory cytokines. This review summarizes different mechanisms of reactive oxygen species and neuro-inflammation that may contribute to the development of severe COVID-19, and recent progress in the study of immunological events and redox imbalance in neurological complications of COVID-19, and the role of bioinformatics in the study of neurological implications of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanyu Thakur
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation-CAS Limited, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong.
| | - Vartika Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sera Averbek
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lifan Liang
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nirali Pandya
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- School of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Department of Clinical Research, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alma Cili
- Clinic of Hematology, University of Medicine, University Hospital center "Mother Teresa", Tirane, Albania
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
- Cancer Centre, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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2
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Yoo S, Garg E, Elliott LT, Hung RJ, Halevy AR, Brooks JD, Bull SB, Gagnon F, Greenwood C, Lawless JF, Paterson AD, Sun L, Zawati MH, Lerner-Ellis J, Abraham R, Birol I, Bourque G, Garant JM, Gosselin C, Li J, Whitney J, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Herbrick JA, Lorenti M, Reuter MS, Adeoye OO, Liu S, Allen U, Bernier FP, Biggs CM, Cheung AM, Cowan J, Herridge M, Maslove DM, Modi BP, Mooser V, Morris SK, Ostrowski M, Parekh RS, Pfeffer G, Suchowersky O, Taher J, Upton J, Warren RL, Yeung R, Aziz N, Turvey SE, Knoppers BM, Lathrop M, Jones S, Scherer SW, Strug LJ. HostSeq: a Canadian whole genome sequencing and clinical data resource. BMC Genom Data 2023; 24:26. [PMID: 37131148 PMCID: PMC10152008 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-023-01128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
HostSeq was launched in April 2020 as a national initiative to integrate whole genome sequencing data from 10,000 Canadians infected with SARS-CoV-2 with clinical information related to their disease experience. The mandate of HostSeq is to support the Canadian and international research communities in their efforts to understand the risk factors for disease and associated health outcomes and support the development of interventions such as vaccines and therapeutics. HostSeq is a collaboration among 13 independent epidemiological studies of SARS-CoV-2 across five provinces in Canada. Aggregated data collected by HostSeq are made available to the public through two data portals: a phenotype portal showing summaries of major variables and their distributions, and a variant search portal enabling queries in a genomic region. Individual-level data is available to the global research community for health research through a Data Access Agreement and Data Access Compliance Office approval. Here we provide an overview of the collective project design along with summary level information for HostSeq. We highlight several statistical considerations for researchers using the HostSeq platform regarding data aggregation, sampling mechanism, covariate adjustment, and X chromosome analysis. In addition to serving as a rich data source, the diversity of study designs, sample sizes, and research objectives among the participating studies provides unique opportunities for the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yoo
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - E Garg
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - L T Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - R J Hung
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - A R Halevy
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J D Brooks
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - S B Bull
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - F Gagnon
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cmt Greenwood
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J F Lawless
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - A D Paterson
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - L Sun
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - J Lerner-Ellis
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rjs Abraham
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - I Birol
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - G Bourque
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J-M Garant
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - C Gosselin
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Li
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Whitney
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - J-A Herbrick
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M Lorenti
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M S Reuter
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - O O Adeoye
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - S Liu
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - U Allen
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - F P Bernier
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - C M Biggs
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A M Cheung
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Cowan
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - M Herridge
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - B P Modi
- BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - V Mooser
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - S K Morris
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M Ostrowski
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R S Parekh
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - G Pfeffer
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - J Taher
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Upton
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R L Warren
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rsm Yeung
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - N Aziz
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - S E Turvey
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - M Lathrop
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sjm Jones
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - S W Scherer
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - L J Strug
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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3
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Strnadová K, Pfeiferová L, Přikryl P, Dvořánková B, Vlčák E, Frýdlová J, Vokurka M, Novotný J, Šáchová J, Hradilová M, Brábek J, Šmigová J, Rösel D, Smetana K, Kolář M, Lacina L. Exosomes produced by melanoma cells significantly influence the biological properties of normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 157:153-172. [PMID: 34837514 PMCID: PMC8847298 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-021-02052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is increasing worldwide. While the treatment of initial stages of the disease is simple, the advanced disease frequently remains fatal despite novel therapeutic options . This requires identification of novel therapeutic targets in melanoma. Similarly to other types of tumours, the cancer microenvironment plays a prominent role and determines the biological properties of melanoma. Importantly, melanoma cell-produced exosomes represent an important tool of intercellular communication within this cancer ecosystem. We have focused on potential differences in the activity of exosomes produced by melanoma cells towards melanoma-associated fibroblasts and normal dermal fibroblasts. Cancer-associated fibroblasts were activated by the melanoma cell-produced exosomes significantly more than their normal counterparts, as assessed by increased transcription of genes for inflammation-supporting cytokines and chemokines, namely IL-6 or IL-8. We have observed that the response is dependent on the duration of the stimulus via exosomes and also on the quantity of exosomes. Our study demonstrates that melanoma-produced exosomes significantly stimulate the tumour-promoting proinflammatory activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts. This may represent a potential new target of oncologic therapy .
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolína Strnadová
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.,BIOCEV, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Pfeiferová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Přikryl
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Dvořánková
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.,BIOCEV, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Erik Vlčák
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Frýdlová
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vokurka
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Novotný
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Šáchová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Miluše Hradilová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brábek
- BIOCEV, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Šmigová
- BIOCEV, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Rösel
- BIOCEV, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Smetana
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.,BIOCEV, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic. .,Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukáš Lacina
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic. .,BIOCEV, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic. .,Department of Dermatovenereology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, 120 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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4
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Taher J, Mighton C, Chowdhary S, Casalino S, Frangione E, Arnoldo S, Bearss E, Binnie A, Bombard Y, Borgundvaag B, Chertkow H, Clausen M, Devine L, Faghfoury H, Friedman SM, Gingras AC, Khan Z, Mazzulli T, McGeer A, McLeod SL, Pugh TJ, Richardson D, Simpson J, Stern S, Strug L, Taher A, Lerner-Ellis J. Implementation of serological and molecular tools to inform COVID-19 patient management: protocol for the GENCOV prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052842. [PMID: 34593505 PMCID: PMC8487020 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is considerable variability in symptoms and severity of COVID-19 among patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Linking host and virus genome sequence information to antibody response and biological information may identify patient or viral characteristics associated with poor and favourable outcomes. This study aims to (1) identify characteristics of the antibody response that result in maintained immune response and better outcomes, (2) determine the impact of genetic differences on infection severity and immune response, (3) determine the impact of viral lineage on antibody response and patient outcomes and (4) evaluate patient-reported outcomes of receiving host genome, antibody and viral lineage results. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A prospective, observational cohort study is being conducted among adult patients with COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto Area. Blood samples are collected at baseline (during infection) and 1, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. Serial antibody titres, isotype, antigen target and viral neutralisation will be assessed. Clinical data will be collected from chart reviews and patient surveys. Host genomes and T-cell and B-cell receptors will be sequenced. Viral genomes will be sequenced to identify viral lineage. Regression models will be used to test associations between antibody response, physiological response, genetic markers and patient outcomes. Pathogenic genomic variants related to disease severity, or negative outcomes will be identified and genome wide association will be conducted. Immune repertoire diversity during infection will be correlated with severity of COVID-19 symptoms and human leucocyte antigen-type associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants can learn their genome sequencing, antibody and viral sequencing results; patient-reported outcomes of receiving this information will be assessed through surveys and qualitative interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by Clinical Trials Ontario Streamlined Ethics Review System (CTO Project ID: 3302) and the research ethics boards at participating hospitals. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Taher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chloe Mighton
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sunakshi Chowdhary
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Selina Casalino
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erika Frangione
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saranya Arnoldo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- William Osler Health System, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Bearss
- Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Yvonne Bombard
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bjug Borgundvaag
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Marc Clausen
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luke Devine
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanna Faghfoury
- Fred A Litwin and Family Centre in Genetic Medicine, University Health Network & Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Marc Friedman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zeeshan Khan
- Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tony Mazzulli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shelley L McLeod
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jared Simpson
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seth Stern
- Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Strug
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed Taher
- Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan Lerner-Ellis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Gyngell C, Christodoulou J, Savulescu J. Ethically utilising COVID-19 host-genomic data. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:31. [PMID: 33972547 PMCID: PMC8110518 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants that influence susceptibility to COVID-19 have recently been identified. In this manuscript, we identify and discuss some of the ethical and practical issues raised by these studies. We first outline the ethical case for providing COVID-19 susceptibility testing to healthcare workers, as well as highlighting risks associated with privacy and discrimination. We then argue that the existence of genetically susceptible individuals has implications for the ethical conduct of COVID-19 human challenge trials. Finally, we discuss the ethical issues that could arise from other COVID-19 host–genome interactions, including the prospect of personalized vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gyngell
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - John Christodoulou
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Oxford, UK
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