New research identifies more than 1,000 genes linked to severe COVID-19
Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Stanford University in the US have discovered there are specific genetic signals in people who develop severe coronavirus infection.
It is known that age, body mass index and pre-existing health problems account for some of the disparities, but genetics also play a significant role. This pioneering research aimed to address why some people with COVID-19 become seriously ill or die, whilst others have few, if any, symptoms.
Using machine learning, researchers from the University of Sheffield and Stanford Medicine have identified more than 1,000 genes linked to the development of severe COVID-19 cases that required breathing support, or were fatal. The team was also able to identify specific types of cells in which those genes act up. It’s one of the first studies to link coronavirus-associated genes to specific biological functions.
Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield and co-author of the study, said: “During the research we discovered the genetic architecture underlying coronavirus infection, and found that these 1,000 genes account for three quarters of the genetic drivers for severe COVID-19. This is significant in understanding why some people have had more severe symptoms of Covid-19 than others.”
The study, published today (14 June 2022) in the journal Cell Systems, was led by Senior Author Professor Michael P Snyder from the University of Stanford in collaboration with genetics instructor Dr Sai Zhang and neuroscientist Dr Cooper-Knock, who is currently a Stanford visiting scholar.
The research process
The research team used several large data sets to unpack the genetics behind severe COVID-19. The first data set contained genetic information from healthy human lung tissue. The data helped identify gene expression in 19 different types of lung cells, including epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract and are the first defense against infection.
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