Host genetic polymorphisms involved in long-term symptoms of COVID-19

Abstract

Host genetic polymorphisms are recognized as a critical determinant of diversity in clinical symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Accordingly, this study aimed to determine possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 37 candidate genetic variants and clinical consequences of COVID-19 - especially long-term symptoms, Long COVID. A total of 260 COVID-19 patients, divided into mild (<i>n </i>= 239) and severe (<i>n </i>= 21) and further categorized based on the presence of Long COVID (no, <i>n </i>= 211; yes, <i>n </i>= 49), were recruited. Genotyping of selected polymorphisms responsible for viral entry, immune response, and inflammation was performed using MassARRAY system. Out of 37 SNPs, 9 including leucine zipper transcription factor like-1 (<i>LZTFL1</i>) rs10490770 C allele, <i>LZTFL1</i> rs11385942 dupA allele, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase-1 (<i>NADSYN1</i>) rs12785878 TT genotype, plexin A-4 (<i>PLXNA4</i>) rs1424597 AA genotype, <i>LZTFL1</i> rs17713054 A allele, interleukin-10 (<i>IL10</i>) rs1800896 TC genotype and C allele, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (<i>ACE2</i>) rs2285666 T allele, and plasmanylethanolamine desaturase-1 (<i>PEDS1</i>) rs6020298 GG genotype and G allele were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing Long COVID, whereas interleukin-10 receptor subunit beta (<i>IL10RB</i>) rs8178562 GG genotype was significantly associated with a reduced risk of Long COVID. Kaplan-Meier curve displayed that the above gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with cumulative rate of Long COVID occurrence. Polymorphisms in <i>LZTFL1</i> rs10490770, <i>LZTFL1</i> rs11385942, <i>LZTFL1</i> rs17713054, <i>NADSYN1</i> rs12785878, <i>PLXNA4</i> rs1424597, <i>IL10</i> rs1800896, <i>ACE2</i> rs2285666, <i>PEDS1</i> rs6020298, and <i>IL10RB</i> rs8178562 appear to be genetic factors involved in development of Long COVID.