COVID-19 News: Brazilian Study Finds That MTOR Gene Variants Are Associated With Severe COVID-19 Outcomes
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 14, 2023 1 year, 1 week, 1 day, 14 hours, 18 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: The global impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been profound, with over 771 million cases and 6.9 million deaths reported worldwide as of October 2023. While the majority of infected individuals exhibit mild symptoms, a significant subset, approximately 15%, develops severe forms of the disease leading to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and, in some cases, fatal outcomes. Factors such as age, gender, and pre-existing comorbidities have been identified as significant risk factors for severe COVID-19. However, the complex interplay between the virus and individual genetic variations remains an area of intense research.
Cytokine Storm and COVID-19 Severity
The severity of COVID-19 is often attributed to the cytokine storm, an exaggerated immune response characterized by the uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines. This immune overdrive contributes to the immunopathogenesis of the disease, leading to respiratory failure, septic shock, and multi-organ dysfunction. The cytokine storm involves a cascade of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and others, collectively contributing to the hyperinflammatory state observed in severe cases.
The mTOR Pathway and Immune Response
Recent studies have shed light on the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in orchestrating innate immune cell defense, including cytokine production. Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway has been observed in severe COVID-19 cases, prompting investigations into the potential link between genetic variations in the mTOR gene and disease outcomes. Understanding the individual genetic background's influence on the immune response could offer valuable insights into predicting severe outcomes following COVID-19 infection.
Objective of the Brazilian Study
Against this backdrop, a study conducted by researchers from Universidade Federal da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba-Brazil, and Universidade do Estado da Bahia in Brazil covered in this
COVID-19 News report, aimed to investigate the association between specific MTOR gene variants and COVID-19 outcomes. The study enrolled individuals with both severe (n = 285) and mild (n = 207) COVID-19 from different Brazilian states, focusing on two MTOR variants, rs1057079 and rs2536.
Study Methodology and Genetic Analysis
The case-control study involved participants from various healthcare institutions, including Hospital Metropolitano Dom José Maria Pires, Hospital EMEC, Hospital Couto Maia, and Primary Health Care at Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos - HUPES. Genetic analysis was conducted on the MTOR variants, and a logistic regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were employed to assess associations between genetic variants and COVID-19 outcomes.
Results and Genetic Associations
The findings revealed a significant association between the T allele of the MTOR rs1057079 variant a
nd a higher likelihood of developing severe COVID-19. This suggests that individuals carrying this genetic variant may be twice as likely to experience a severe outcome from the infection. Furthermore, the study identified a correlation between the T allele of the rs2536 variant and elevated levels of IL-6, a key cytokine involved in the cytokine storm, as well as an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. Notably, these genetic variants exhibited a cumulative risk when inherited collectively.
Implications and Future Considerations
The study's results contribute to our understanding of the genetic factors influencing COVID-19 severity and suggest a potential pathogenetic role of MTOR gene variants. The identification of specific genetic markers associated with severe outcomes could pave the way for more personalized risk assessments and targeted interventions. This information may prove crucial for optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources, particularly in predicting and managing severe cases of COVID-19.
mTOR Function and COVID-19 Comorbidities
The study also delves into the dysregulated function of mTOR observed in severe COVID-19 cases and its association with aging and comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiopathy. These insights underscore the complex interplay between host genetics, viral infection, and the immune response. The potential role of mTOR in driving the cytokine storm opens avenues for exploring therapeutic strategies, including the use of mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin, to mitigate the severity of COVID-19.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Brazilian study sheds light on the crucial interplay between genetic variations in the MTOR gene and the severity of COVID-19 outcomes. The identified associations between specific genetic variants and increased susceptibility to severe disease, along with the cumulative risk observed when these variants are inherited collectively, provide valuable insights into the potential predictive power of genetic markers. These findings pave the way for further research and may ultimately contribute to more effective strategies for managing and mitigating the impact of severe COVID-19 cases on public health.
As the world grapples with ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, understanding the genetic basis of disease outcomes remains a key avenue for advancing our ability to combat and control the spread of COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: International Immunopharmacology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576923014819
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