Some people get severely sick with COVID-19. Others don't even notice they've caught the infection.<\/p>\n
Understanding the role of genetic variants in infection outcomes could help prevent or treat infectious diseases by restoring deficient immunity.<\/p>\n
Over the past months, several studies have shown that some genes are potentially involved in the congenital resistance some people have towards COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Blood types and COVID resistance<\/p>\n
For example, the authors wrote that evidence suggested that people with O type blood groups may be slightly more resistant than people with other blood types.<\/p>\n
In vitro studies have identified candidate genes that might be involved in how SARS-CoV2 enters human cells and triggers the infection.<\/p>\n
SARS-CoV-2 penetrates human cells by binding the ACE2 receptor, which sits in the cell's membrane. <\/p>\n
Scientists have discovered that a rare variant located close to ACE2 confers protection against COVID-19. <\/p>\n
The hypothesis is that the variant decreases ACE2 expression.<\/p>\n
In other in vitro studies, scientists found that some human ACE2 polymorphisms (a gene is polymorphic if more than one allele occupies that gene's locus) bind the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with different affinities.<\/p>\n
The role of genetic variants<\/p>\n
Historically, therapeutics for infectious diseases have focused primarily on the pathogen rather than the host. <\/p>\n
The most common idea has been to prevent the disease by vaccinating against the pathogen or stop the infection by interfering with the pathogen using drugs.<\/p>\n
Understanding the role of genetic variants in infection outcomes could help prevent or treat infectious diseases by restoring deficient immunity.<\/p>\n
\"These variants are of particular interest for two reasons,\" the authors wrote. <\/p>\n
\"First, they can provide a deep understanding of the essential biological pathways involved in infection with SARS-CoV-2.<\/p>\n
Second, they will allow for the development of innovative therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in others.\"<\/p>\n
The proof of principle for this second reason has been provided by CCR5 - a genetic mutation occurring in roughly one per cent of the population, which prevents HIV from binding to the surface of white blood cells. <\/p>\n
Medicine mimicking genetics<\/p>\n
After discovering CCR5, scientists developed an anti-retroviral drug called maraviroc, which mimics the effect of the mutation.<\/p>\n
\"No specific drug effective against COVID-19 has been discovered since the start of the pandemic,\" the authors wrote. <\/p>\n
\"Lessons learned [from genetics] could potentially guide us toward such specific treatments for COVID-19.\"<\/p>\n
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\nA lucky few are unusually resistant to COVID-19. Scientists are trying to find a reason in their genes. - Mandurah Mail<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"