IFITM3 Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Is Associated with COVID-19 Susceptibility
Fengwen Xu, Geng Wang, Fei Zhao, Yu Huang, Zhangling Fan, Shan Mei, Yu Xie, Wei Liang, Yamei Hu, Conghui Wang, Shan Cen, Chen Liang, Lili Ren, Fei Guo, Jianwei Wang
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has become a global threat to public health. Infected individuals can be asymptomatic or develop mild to severe symptoms, including pneumonia, respiratory distress, and death. This wide spectrum of clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection is believed in part due to the polymorphisms of key genetic factors in the population. In this study, we report that the interferon-induced antiviral factor IFITM3 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by preventing SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein-mediated virus entry and cell-to-cell fusion. Analysis of a Chinese COVID-19 patient cohort demonstrates that the rs12252 CC genotype of IFITM3 is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in the studied cohort. These data suggest that individuals carrying the rs12252 C allele in the IFITM3 gene may be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus may benefit from early medical intervention.