FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene: Linking COVID-19 risk to genetic susceptibility in children

IF 3.7 3区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Cytokine Pub Date : 2025-05-13 DOI:10.1016/j.cyto.2025.156958

Amal Ahmed Mohamed , Abdullah Taher Alanazi , Hoda H. Ahmed , Samar Elfiky , Muhammad T Abdel Ghafar , Ingy Maher , Sherin A. Taha , Mohammed Zakaria Ali AbuRahma , Waleed Elagawy , Dina A. Mohareb , Abeer M. Rawy , Heba M. Abostate , Amira AlSayed Youssef , Dalia Saeed Elsayed , Rasha M. Abdel-Hamid

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Vitamin D receptor (VDR), influenced by gene polymorphisms like FokI, may affect susceptibility to infections, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since studies in children are limited, we aimed to analyze the correlation between the VDR FokI variant and both the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in Egyptian children.

Methods

Seventy-seven COVID-19-positive and 107 COVID-19-negative pediatric patients were included. Participants' serum 25(OH)D levels, inflammatory biomarkers, and demographics were evaluated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for genotyping the VDR FokI (rs2228570) polymorphism.

Results

Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients than in controls, while interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and D-dimer were significantly higher (all p < 0.001). Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly more common in COVID-19 cases (18.2 % versus 3.7 %, p = 0.002). Male sex, increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and CRP were significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (p = 0.032, 0.029, < 0.001, respectively). The FokI TT genotype in codominant and recessive models and the T allele in the multiplicative model were significantly correlated with 2.4, 3.0, and 1.8 folds increased COVID-19 risk (p = 0.043, < 0.001, and 0.004, respectively). However, VDR FokI variants did not significantly associate with severe COVID-19.

Conclusion

The T allele and TT genotype of the FokI variant in the VDR gene increase susceptibility to COVID-19 but not its severity in Egyptian children. Additional research is required to validate the potential role of vitamin D and its receptor polymorphism in COVID-19.

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维生素D受体基因的FokI多态性：将COVID-19风险与儿童遗传易感性联系起来

维生素D受体（VDR）受FokI等基因多态性的影响，可能影响对包括2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）在内的感染的易感性。由于对儿童的研究有限，我们的目的是分析VDR FokI变异与埃及儿童COVID-19发病率和严重程度之间的相关性。方法选取新型冠状病毒感染阳性患儿77例，阴性患儿107例。评估参与者的血清25(OH)D水平、炎症生物标志物和人口统计学。采用实时聚合酶链反应（Real-time polymerase chain reaction， PCR）对VDR FokI （rs2228570）多态性进行基因分型。结果新冠肺炎患者淋巴细胞绝对计数（ALC）明显低于对照组，白细胞介素-6 （IL-6）、红细胞沉降率（ESR）、c反应蛋白（CRP）、降钙素原、d -二聚体明显高于对照组(p <；0.001)。维生素D不足在COVID-19病例中更为常见（18.2%对3.7%,p = 0.002）。男性、肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)和CRP升高与重症COVID-19相关(p = 0.032, 0.029, <；分别为0.001)。共显性和隐性模型中的FokI TT基因型以及乘法模型中的T等位基因与COVID-19风险增加2.4倍、3.0倍和1.8倍显著相关(p = 0.043, <；0.001和0.004)。然而，VDR FokI变异与严重的COVID-19没有显著关联。结论埃及儿童VDR基因中FokI变异的T等位基因和TT基因型增加了对COVID-19的易感性，但不增加其严重程度。需要进一步的研究来验证维生素D及其受体多态性在COVID-19中的潜在作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Cytokine 医学-免疫学

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

2.60%

发文量

262

审稿时长

48 days

期刊介绍： The journal Cytokine has an open access mirror journal Cytokine: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. * Devoted exclusively to the study of the molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, immunology, genome-wide association studies, pathobiology, diagnostic and clinical applications of all known interleukins, hematopoietic factors, growth factors, cytotoxins, interferons, new cytokines, and chemokines, Cytokine provides comprehensive coverage of cytokines and their mechanisms of actions, 12 times a year by publishing original high quality refereed scientific papers from prominent investigators in both the academic and industrial sectors. We will publish 3 major types of manuscripts: 1) Original manuscripts describing research results. 2) Basic and clinical reviews describing cytokine actions and regulation. 3) Short commentaries/perspectives on recently published aspects of cytokines, pathogenesis and clinical results.