Study identifies genetic factors that may influence COVID-19 susceptibility

Editor's Note

This study by Cleveland Clinic researchers identifies genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to COVID-19, which could guide personalized treatment.

The researchers investigated genetic susceptibility to COVID-19 by examining DNA polymorphisms (variations in DNA sequences) in the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes that produce the enzymes that enable the virus to enter and infect human cells.

Examining 81,000 human genomes from three genomic databases, the researchers found 437 variants in the protein-coding regions of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes. Many of these variants offer potential explanations for different genetic susceptibility to COVID-19 as well as risk factors.

ACE2 polymorphisms were more likely to be associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions by altering the angiotensinogen-ACE2 interactions, such as pArg514Gly in the African/African American population. Unique but prevalent polymorphisms in TMPRSS2, including pVal160Met (rs12329760), may provide explanations for differential genetic susceptibility to COVID-19 as well as for risk factors, including cancer and male patients.

The findings show a possible association between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 variations and COVID-19 susceptibility, indicating that identification of the functional polymorphisms of these variants among different populations could pave a way for precision medicine and personalized treatment strategies for COVID-19, the researchers say.