Association of Polymorphisms of IL-6 Pathway Genes (IL6, IL6R and IL6ST) with COVID-19 Severity in an Amazonian Population

Association of Interleukin-6 (rs1800795) and Interleukin-10 (rs1800896) Genetic Polymorphisms with the Outcome of COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Study

The corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected most of the world with varying degrees of morbidity and mortality. The presence of genetic polymorphisms may be associated with the severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection. This work aimed to evaluate the genetic polymorphisms of interleukin (IL-6) and IL-10 genes with the outcome of COVID-19 infection. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 354 patients who were classified into moderate and severe cases (including alive and deceased cases). All individuals were genotyped for one SNP for IL-6 (rs1800795) and one SNP for IL10 (rs1800896) using allelic discrimination real-time PCR technique. In this study, 198 cases were moderate, and 156 cases were severe. The risk of allele carriage of the minor allele of IL-6 rs1800795 (C) was significantly higher among the severe group when compared with that of the moderate group (p < 0.0001), while there was a mild significant difference of same allele carriage among alive cases when compared to that of deceased one (p < 0.04). Furthermore, the risk of the C allele of IL-10 rs1800896 was significantly increased in severe cases when compared with the moderate group (p < 0.0001), while there was no significant difference of the risk of the C allele in deceased cases when compared with that of alive ones (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the C allele (rs1800795) of IL-6 and the C allele (rs1800896) of IL-10 were highly significant in severe cases than in moderate cases. The C allele carriage of IL-6 showed only a significant difference between alive and deceased patients and not with the C allele of IL-10.

Association between polymorphisms in TLR3, TICAM1 and IFNA1 genes and covid-19 severity in Southern Brazil

BACKGROUND

A distinct phenotype in Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) was observed in severe patients, consisting of a highly impaired interferon (IFN) type I response, an exacerbated inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in five genes related to the immune response, rs3775291 in TLR3; rs2292151 in TICAM1; rs1758566 in IFNA1; rs1800629 in TNF, and rs1800795 in IL6 with the severity of Covid-19.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed, with non-severe and severe/critical patients diagnosed with Covid-19, by two public hospitals in Brazil. In total, 300 patients were genotyped for the SNPs, 150 with the non-severe form of the disease and 150 with severe/critical form.

RESULTS

The T/T genotype of TLR3 in recessive model shows 58% of protection against severe/critical Covid-19; as well as the genotypes G/A+A/A of TICAM1 in dominant model with 60% of protection, and in a codominant model G/A with 57% and A/A with 71% of protection against severe/critical Covid-19. Comparing severe and critical cases, the T/C genotype of IFNA1 in the codominant model and TC+C/C in the dominant model showed twice the risk of critical Covid-19.

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that rs3775291, rs2292151 and rs1758566 can influence the COVID-19 severity.

Interaction Between Genetic Susceptibility and COVID-19 Pathogenesis in Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Disorders: The Role of Immune Responses

Numerous studies have highlighted the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms reminiscent of Kawasaki disease in children, including fever, heightened multisystem inflammation, and multiorgan involvement, posing a life-threatening complication. Consequently, extensive research endeavors in pediatric have aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between COVID-19 infection and the immune system. COVID-19 profoundly impacts immune cells, culminating in a cytokine storm that particularly inflicts damage on the pulmonary system. The gravity and vulnerability to COVID-19 are closely intertwined with the vigor of the immune response. In this context, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule assumes pivotal significance in shaping immune responses. Genetic scrutiny of HLA has unveiled the presence of at least one deleterious allele in children afflicted with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Furthermore, research has demonstrated that COVID-19 exploits the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor, transmembrane serine protease type 2, and various other genes to gain entry into host cells, with individuals harboring ACE-2 polymorphisms being at higher risk. Pediatric studies have employed diverse genetic methodologies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome sequencing, to scrutinize target genes. These investigations have pinpointed two specific genomic loci linked to the severity and susceptibility of COVID-19, with the HLA locus emerging as a notable risk factor. In this comprehensive review article, we endeavor to assess the available evidence and consolidate data, offering insights into current clinical practices and delineating avenues for future research. Our objective is to advance early diagnosis, stabilization, and appropriate management strategies to mitigate genetic susceptibility's impact on the incidence of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with multisystem inflammation.