The influence of IFITM3 polymorphisms on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schönfelder, Kristina; Breuckmann, Katharina; Elsner, Carina; Dittmer, Ulf; Fistera, David; Herbstreit, Frank; Risse, Joachim; Schmidt, Karsten; Sutharsan, Sivagurunathan; Taube, Christian; Jöckel, Karl-Heinz; Siffert, Winfried; Kribben, Andreas; Möhlendick, Birte
• Is Part Of: Cytokine. Volume 142(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- IFITM3 -- COVID-19 -- Polymorphism -- Genetic association -- Antiviral protein; Cytokines -- Periodicals; 571.844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-4666

Abstract

Highlights: IFITM3 plays a key role in adaptive and innate immune response. We analyzed the role of IFITIM3 rs12252 and rs34481144 polymorphisms in COVID-19. We found no association with susceptibility to infection risk or severity. rs12252 might be more important for prediction of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. rs34481144 might be more suitable as a marker for severity of COVID-19. Abstract: Background and aims: The interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) plays an important role in the adaptive and innate immune response by inhibiting viral membrane hemifusion between the host and viral cell cytoplasm. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene IFITM3 have been associated with susceptibility and severity of influenza or other viral infections. We aimed to analyze the role of SNPs in the gene IFITM3 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We performed genotyping of the SNPs rs12252 and rs34481144 in the gene IFITM3 in 239 SARS-CoV-2-positive and 253 SARS-CoV-2-negative patients. We analyzed the association of the SNPs with susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19. Results: SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients did not differ regarding demographics. Neither IFITM3 rs12252 nor rs34481144 polymorphisms were related to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk or severity of COVID-19. Interestingly, we observed the putative deleterious rs12252 CC genotype only in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (N = 2). Also, we found a non-significant higher frequency of rs34481144 A-allele carriers in the patients with 'serious' COVID-19. Conclusions: In summary, we could not confirm the recently reported influence of polymorphisms in the gene IFITM3 on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk or severity of COVID-19 in a German cohort. Additional studies are needed to clarify the influence of the rs12252 CC genotype on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and the rs34481144 A-allele on course of COVID-19.