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Updated: Sep 5, 2025
High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Impact of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 gene rs12252 polymorphism on COVID-19 mortality
Iraj Ahmadi1, Alireza Afifipour1, Fatemeh Sakhaee2
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, Iran.
Background And Aims:
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) plays a critical role in the adaptive and innate immune response by preventing membrane hemifusion between the host and viral cell cytoplasm. This study aimed to evaluate whether IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism is related to an increased mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods:
The IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism was genotyped using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) in 548 dead and 630 improved patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Results:
In the present study, the minor allele frequency of IFITM3 rs12252 (C) was significantly more frequent in dead patients than in improved cases. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the lower lipid profiles, PCR Ct value, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and uric acid and higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), liver enzymes, and creatinine, and IFITM3 rs12252 CC genotypes were related to the COVID-19 infection mortality.
Conclusions:
In summary, our findings suggested a possible link between the mortality of COVID-19 infection, the CC genotypes of IFITM3 rs12252, and clinical parameters. Further investigations are required worldwide to prove the link relationship of COVID-19 mortality with host genetic factors.
Insights
The IFITM3 rs12252 CC genotype was more frequent in patients who died from COVID-19. This genetic factor, along with clinical markers, may be linked to increased coronavirus disease 2019 mortality.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is crucial for immune responses, inhibiting viral entry.
- IFITM3's role in preventing host-viral membrane fusion is key to its function.
- Genetic variations in IFITM3 may influence susceptibility and severity of viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism and COVID-19 mortality.
- To determine if specific IFITM3 genotypes correlate with increased risk of death from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism using ARMS-PCR.
- Analysis included 548 deceased and 630 recovered COVID-19 patients.
- Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- The minor allele frequency (C) of IFITM3 rs12252 was higher in non-survivors.
- IFITM3 rs12252 CC genotypes were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality.
- Lower lipid profiles, vitamin D, uric acid, and higher ESR, liver enzymes, and creatinine were also linked to mortality.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a potential link between IFITM3 rs12252 CC genotype and COVID-19 mortality.
- Clinical parameters also showed significant associations with fatal outcomes.
- Further global research is needed to confirm the role of host genetics in COVID-19 mortality.
