A research team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has identified a gene variant that may provide resistance against Covid-19, through the analysis of the genomes of individuals with diverse ancestry.
The study indicates that the genetic makeup of an individual can influence their susceptibility to Covid-19, as reported in the journal Nature Genetics.
Previous studies, primarily involving individuals of European descent, found that those carrying a specific DNA segment had a 20% lower risk of developing severe Covid-19 compared to others.
Researchers noted that this DNA segment encodes genes involved in the immune system. However, this region contains numerous genetic variants, making it challenging to accurately identify which variant protects the body against Covid-19.
The discovery of the gene variant in the DNA sequence that protects humans from Covid-19 could aid in the treatment of severe Covid-19. (Photo: NDTV).
To identify the specific gene variant, researchers sought individuals who carried only portions of the DNA segment. About half of the individuals outside Africa inherited this DNA segment from ancient Neanderthals. However, a small portion of this DNA region is also present in both individuals of African descent and those of European descent.
The researchers found that individuals of African descent also possess immune genes similar to those of European descent. This allowed them to accurately identify a specific gene variant of interest.
“Discovering that individuals of African descent share the same immune genes as those of European descent enabled us to pinpoint the unique variant in the DNA that truly protects the body from Covid-19,” said Jennifer Huffman, the study’s author and a researcher at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
The analysis was conducted on a total of 2,787 hospitalized Covid-19 patients of African descent and 130,997 individuals in the control group from six other studies. Researchers indicated that 80% of individuals of African descent possess the gene variant that offers protection against Covid-19.
