Ever wondered how some people manage to evade the symptoms of COVID-19 even after they contract the virus? A recent study says a certain gene mutation helps them to be super dodgers.
Researchers from the University of California-San Francisco have found the primary evidence for a genetic basis for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2. The key is within the gene mutations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) called HLA alleles, in line with the findings of the study, published within the journal Nature.
HLA are the protein markers that play a key role within the body’s defense against infectious diseases. Earlier studies have shown how susceptibility and progression of infections similar to hepatitis B virus and HIV differed in individuals with differences within the HLA alleles.
The newest study identified an HLA allele, often known as HLA-B*15:01, that makes people asymptomatic to infection from COVID-19.
The study included 29,947 participants from the National Marrow Donor Program within the US. Using a mobile app, researchers screened the participants for COVID-19 and checked in the event that they were experiencing any symptoms. The study was conducted throughout the early stages of the pandemic before vaccines were available.
At the tip of the study in April 2021, 1,428 participants tested positive for COVID-19, of which 136 remained asymptomatic. The gene mutation HLA-B*15:01 was seen in about 10% of the study’s population.
The findings suggest that 20% of the participants who were asymptomatic to the infection had at the least one copy of the HLA-B*15:01, while only 9% of those that reported symptoms had the gene mutation. In individuals with two copies of the variant, the likelihood of being asymptomatic to COVID infection was greater than eight times.
The mutation doesn’t mean they can be free from contracting the virus. Researchers say it just prevents them from developing any noticeable symptoms.
“If you might have a military that is capable of recognize the enemy early, that is an enormous advantage. It’s like having soldiers which might be prepared for battle and already know what to search for, and that these are the bad guys,” study lead Jill Hollenbach said in a news release.
Researchers imagine the findings will assist in developing recent treatments or vaccines in the long run.
“By studying their immune response, this might enable us to discover recent ways of promoting immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 that might be utilized in future development of vaccine or drugs,” said Stephanie Gras, a professor and laboratory head at La Trobe University.
Published by Medicaldaily.com