NK cell receptor NKG2C deletion and HLA-E variants are risk factors for severe COVID-19
Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may show mild infection or may develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the present study, we investigated whether there is an association between the severity of COVID-19 and the naturally occurring human genetic variants in the natural killer (NK) cell NKG2C receptor (NKG2Cwt/del) and its cellular ligand HLA-E (HLA-E*0101/0103). Both factors are essential components of the NKG2C+ NK cell response and important parts of the defence against pulmonary viral infection. NKG2Cdel and HLA-E*0101 were significantly overrepresented in hospitalized patients (p=0.0006 and p=0.01, respectively) and particularly in critically ill patients requiring intensive care (p<0.0001 and p=0.01, respectively), compared to patients with mild symptoms or healthy controls. Both genetic variants were found to be independent risk factors for severe COVID-19. The data highlight that specific NKG2C+ NK cell responses play an important role against SARS-CoV-2 and that variations thereof may significantly influence the severity of disease.
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Hi, how it can be tested, whether someone is affected? It would be important to lock down them more seriously mostly for their own health. I would be interested in such testing. On the other side I had high NK level 2 years ago, it was cured by Prednisolone. How it reflects to Covid? The high reaction is a problem (eg citokine storm?) Many thanks, Zita
Posted 15 Jun, 2020
NK cell receptor NKG2C deletion and HLA-E variants are risk factors for severe COVID-19
Posted 15 Jun, 2020
Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may show mild infection or may develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the present study, we investigated whether there is an association between the severity of COVID-19 and the naturally occurring human genetic variants in the natural killer (NK) cell NKG2C receptor (NKG2Cwt/del) and its cellular ligand HLA-E (HLA-E*0101/0103). Both factors are essential components of the NKG2C+ NK cell response and important parts of the defence against pulmonary viral infection. NKG2Cdel and HLA-E*0101 were significantly overrepresented in hospitalized patients (p=0.0006 and p=0.01, respectively) and particularly in critically ill patients requiring intensive care (p<0.0001 and p=0.01, respectively), compared to patients with mild symptoms or healthy controls. Both genetic variants were found to be independent risk factors for severe COVID-19. The data highlight that specific NKG2C+ NK cell responses play an important role against SARS-CoV-2 and that variations thereof may significantly influence the severity of disease.
Figure 1
Hi, how it can be tested, whether someone is affected? It would be important to lock down them more seriously mostly for their own health. I would be interested in such testing. On the other side I had high NK level 2 years ago, it was cured by Prednisolone. How it reflects to Covid? The high reaction is a problem (eg citokine storm?) Many thanks, Zita