A Polymorphism in the TMPRSS2 Gene Increases the Risk of Death in Older Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19
Clara Caldeira de Andrade, Ana Tércia Paulo Silva, Luydson Richardson Silva Vasconcelos, Pablo Rafael Silveira Oliveira, Carlos Dornels Freire de Souza, Anderson da Costa Armstrong, Rodrigo Feliciano do Carmo
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are the main molecules involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Changes in TMPRSS2 expression levels caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to the outcome of COVID-19. The aim was to investigate the association between TMPRSS2 gene polymorphisms and the risk of death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We included patients with confirmed COVID-19, recruited from two hospitals in northeastern Brazil from August 2020 to July 2021. Two functional polymorphisms (rs2070788 and rs12329760) in TMPRSS2 were evaluated by real-time PCR. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate death. The Cox's proportional hazards model was used to adjust for potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: = 0.009). In multivariable analysis, the GG genotype was a factor independently associated with the risk of death in older individuals (hazard ratio = 4.03, 95% confidence interval 1.49 to 10.84). CONCLUSIONS: The rs2070788 polymorphism in TMPRSS2 increases risk of death four-fold in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19.