Open AccessThe major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is associated with protection against HIV
Author(s) -
Hugo Zeberg
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2116435119
Subject(s) - covid-19 , haplotype , risk factor , biology , genetics , virology , immunology , medicine , genotype , gene , disease , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
There are genetic risk factors that influence the outcome of COVID-19 [COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative,Nature 600, 472–477 (2021)]. The major genetic risk factor for severe COIVD-19 resides on chromosome 3 and is inherited from Neandertals [H. Zeberg, S. Pääbo,Nature 587, 610–612 (2020)]. The risk-associated DNA segment modulates the expression of several chemokine receptors, among them CCR5, a coreceptor for HIV which is down-regulated in carriers of the COVID-19 risk haplotype. Here I show that carriers of the risk variant have an ∼27% lower risk of HIV infection.