Benedikt Strunz, Pouria Momayyezi, Eleni Bilev, Jagadeeswara Rao Muvva, Puran Chen, Jonna Bister, Marie Schaffer, Mira Akber, Martin Cornillet, Amir Horowitz, Karl-Johan Malmberg, Olav Rooyackers, Soo Aleman, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Niklas K Björkström, Kristoffer Strålin, Quirin Hammer
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Host genetics shape immune responses and influence severity of infectious diseases. The HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism tunes the functionality of natural killer (NK) cells expressing the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. NKG2A+ NK cells have been reported to recognize SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, but it remains unclear whether the HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism associates with COVID-19 severity. Here, we investigated the influence of the HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism in a cohort of 230 unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and requiring respiratory support. We found that HLA-B -21 M/M genotypes were more prevalent in patients with moderate compared to severe COVID-19 (6.0% vs. 0.9%). Comparison of age- and sex-matched sub-groups revealed that patients with M/M genotypes required mechanical respiratory support less frequently (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.01-0.76, P = 0.013). Furthermore, patients with M/M genotypes showed a coordinately shifted signature of clinical laboratory parameters, coinciding with elevated serum levels of the anti-viral cytokine IFN-γ. These findings demonstrate that HLA-B variants associate with COVID-19 severity and suggest that the robust functionality of NKG2A+ NK cells in patients carrying the M/M genotype may contribute to protection from severe disease.
期刊介绍:
Genes & Immunity emphasizes studies investigating how genetic, genomic and functional variations affect immune cells and the immune system, and associated processes in the regulation of health and disease. It further highlights articles on the transcriptional and posttranslational control of gene products involved in signaling pathways regulating immune cells, and protective and destructive immune responses.