The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is associated with protection against HIV
Hugo Zeberg
Abstract
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.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)HaplotypeRisk factorBiologyGeneticsSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyMedicineGenotypeGeneInternal medicineDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Immune responses and vaccinationsSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchHIV Research and Treatment