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. 2022 Aug 20:836:146674.
doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146674. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

The association of COVID-19 severity and susceptibility and genetic risk factors: A systematic review of the literature

Angela Ishak  1 , Meghana Mehendale  2 , Mousa M AlRawashdeh  3 , Cristina Sestacovschi  2 , Medha Sharath  4 , Krunal Pandav  2 , Sima Marzban  2
Affiliations

The association of COVID-19 severity and susceptibility and genetic risk factors: A systematic review of the literature

Angela Ishak et al. Gene. .

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is associated with several risk factors such as distinct ethnicities (genetic ancestry), races, sexes, age, pre-existing comorbidities, smoking, and genetics. The authors aim to evaluate the correlation between variability in the host genetics and the severity and susceptibility towards COVID-19 in this study.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we retrieved all the relevant articles published until September 15, 2021, from two online databases: PubMed and Scopus.

Findings: High-risk HLA haplotypes, higher expression of ACE polymorphisms, and several genes of cellular proteases such as TMPRSS2, FURIN, TLL-1 increase the risk of susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. In addition, upregulation of several genes encoding for both innate and acquired immune systems proteins, mainly CCR5, IFNs, TLR, DPPs, and TNF, positively correlate with COVID-19 severity. However, reduced expression or polymorphisms in genes affecting TLR and IFNλ increase COVID-19 severity.

Conclusion: Higher expression, polymorphisms, mutations, and deletions of several genes are linked with the susceptibility, severity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Early treatment and vaccination of individuals with genetic predisposition could help minimize the severity and mortality associated with COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 severity; Genetic Susceptibility; Host genetics; Polymorphisms; SARS-CoV-2.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The 2020 PRISMA flowchart detailing study screening and selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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