Host Genetic Risk Factors Associated with COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity in Vietnamese.

Nhung, Vu Phuong; Ton, Nguyen Dang; Ngoc, Tran Thi Bich; Thuong, Ma Thi Huyen; Hai, Nguyen Thi Thanh; Oanh, Kim Thi Phuong; Hien, Le Thi Thu; Thach, Pham Ngoc; Hai, Nong Van; Ha, Nguyen Hai

Since the emergence and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2, numerous scientific reports have searched for the association of host genetic variants with COVID-19, but the data are mostly acquired from Europe. In the current work, we explored the link between host genes (SARS-CoV-2 entry and immune system related to COVID-19 sensitivity/severity) and ABO blood types with COVID-19 from whole-exome data of 200 COVID-19 patients and 100 controls in Vietnam. The O blood type was found to be a protective factor that weakens the worst outcomes of infected individuals. For SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, rs2229207 (TC genotype, allele C) and rs17860118 (allele T) of IFNAR2 increased the risk of infection, but rs139940581 (CT genotype, allele T) of SLC6A20 reduced virus sensitivity. For COVID-19 progress, the frequencies of rs4622692 (TG genotype) and rs1048610 (TC genotype) of ADAM17 were significantly higher in the moderate group than in the severe/fatal group. The variant rs12329760 (AA genotype) of TMPRSS2 was significantly associated with asymptomatic/mild symptoms. Additionally, rs2304255 (CT genotype, allele T) of TYK2 and rs2277735 (AG genotype) of DPP9 were associated with severe/fatal outcomes. Studies on different populations will give better insights into the pathogenesis, which is ethnic-dependent, and thus decipher the genetic factor's contribution to mechanisms that predispose people to being more vulnerable to COVID-19.

VIETNAM; COVID-19; ABO blood group system; GENETIC variation; BLOOD groups; TECHNICAL reports; SARS-CoV-2; NO-tillage

Genes, 2022, Vol 13, Issue 10, pN.PAG

2073-4425

Academic Journal

10.3390/genes13101884