COVID-19 currently represents a major public health problem. The causes that underlying susceptibility to infection in have not yet been determined. Interferons (IFNs) are intensively being investigated because of their antiviral properties. Among them, Interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) has been reported to have antiviral activity against viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, Hepatitis virus C (HCV), and coronaviruses. The importance of this cytokine was shown by the fact that genetic variants of IFNL4 have been associated with viral clearance and response to IFNs-based therapies in HCV and other infections by RNA virus. In this study, we have investigated whether the rs12979860 polymorphism within the IFNL4 was also associated with COVID-19. Our findings show that the presence of the CC allele of rs12979860 was significantly lower in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with regard to non-COVID-19 controls (38% vs 55%, p<0001). These results were not affected by sex, age, and severity of disease. These findings suggest that the CC allele may also confer protection against COVID-19. They may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of disease, the response to IFN-based treatments, and the racial differences observed in the disease.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.