The role of your GENES in fighting COVID-19

The Role of Your Genes in Fighting COVID-19

Who Is at Risk for COVID-19?

Medical experts and agencies such as the CDC have stated that people with chronic heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, or asthma — and people who are at higher risk for these conditions — are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. According to CCDC data, 10.5% of deceased COVID-19 cases were already suffering from cardiovascular disease, 7.3% from diabetes, 6.3% from chronic respiratory disease, 6.0% from hypertension, and 5.6% from cancer.

How Your Genes Affect COVID-19 Severity

Every individual has 99.9% the same DNA makeup — it is the 0.1% variation (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, or SNPs) that makes us unique. This uniqueness makes us more or less susceptible to different diseases, bacteria, and viruses, including coronavirus.

Cytokine Storm

When a pathogen like coronavirus enters the body, our immune cells release signalling proteins called cytokines. In some patients, the virus triggers an imbalanced immune response — a “cytokine storm” — causing severe inflammation, lung damage, and in some cases, death. Variations in genes of the immune system (such as the interleukin family and tumour necrosis factor) increase the likelihood of cytokine storm and worsen outcomes.

ACE2 Gene and COVID-19 Severity

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. Having ACE2 gene variants could potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular complications (hypertension, heart disease) and diabetes — both of which worsen COVID-19 outcomes.

SARS-CoV Susceptibility Genes

Genetic factors play a very important role in SARS-CoV pathogenesis. Genes such as MBL, OAS1, IL1A, and IL18 have been tested for their association with coronavirus infection. Individuals with polymorphisms in these genes could have increased susceptibility.