Genetic risk factor linked to increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers have identified a novel genetic risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing new insights into the virus' ability to invade human cells. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that spreads COVID-19.

"We show that a variant of this gene, which has long been linked to autoimmune disorders, can make certain cells more vulnerable to the virus," he said. "Our study also shows that this risk can be mitigated with Tofacitinib, a widely used JAK inhibitor, offering potential new treatment options for patients at higher genetic risk. Tofacitinib, approved to treat ulcerative colitis, reversed the increased ACE2 expression on lung, intestinal, and immune cells, thus reducing susceptibility to viral invasion."

"Tofacitinib's ability to reduce ACE2 expression and lower the susceptibility of immune cells to the virus could be key in addressing the pandemic more effectively, especially in vulnerable populations," McCole said. "Our findings lays the groundwork for further clinical trials to explore the therapeutic potential of JAK inhibitors in preventing or treating SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as offering new insights into the complex interactions between the immune system, genetics, and viral susceptibility."

Critical parts of the research were performed in the UCR Biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) lab used to study infectious agents or toxins that may be transmitted through the air. The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, a City of Hope-UC Riverside Biomedical Research Initiative award, and a postdoctoral research stipend from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

McCole was joined in the study by Marianne R. Spalinger, Golshid Sanati, Pritha Chatterjee, Rong Hai, Jiang Li, and Alina N. Santos of UCR; Tara M. Nordgren of Colorado State University in Fort Collins; Michel L. Tremblay of McGill University in Canada; Lars Eckmann, Elaine Hanson, and Brigid S. Boland of UC San Diego; Michael Scharl of the University of Zurich in Switzerland; and Xiwei Wu of the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope in California.

Source:

University of California - Riverside

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