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ACE2 polymorphisms impact COVID-19 severity in obese patients
Nour Jalaleddine1, Amal Bouzid2, Mahmood Hachim1
1College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE.
Scientific Reports
|December 13, 2022
Summary
Obesity increases COVID-19 severity, potentially linked to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene variations. Specific ACE2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) like rs2285666 were associated with worse outcomes in obese COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, yet prognostic factors remain unclear.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, is upregulated in obesity, suggesting a potential role in disease severity.
- Genetic variations, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ACE2 gene, are hypothesized to influence COVID-19 severity, particularly in obese individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ACE2 gene polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in obese patients.
- To identify specific ACE2 SNPs that correlate with increased disease severity in the context of obesity.
- To explore potential functional cooperation between identified ACE2 SNPs.
Main Methods:
- Profiling of eight common ACE2 SNPs in a cohort of 82 lean and obese COVID-19 patients.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between ACE2 SNPs and COVID-19 severity.
- Correlation analysis of identified SNPs and assessment of their association with clinical markers like blood urea and creatinine levels.
Main Results:
- Four ACE2 SNPs (rs2285666, rs2048683, rs879922, and rs4240157) showed a significant association with increased COVID-19 severity in obese patients compared to lean patients.
- These associated SNPs exhibited positive correlations, suggesting potential functional cooperation in ACE2 regulation.
- In obese patients, SNPs rs2285666, rs879922, and rs4240157 were significantly linked to elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels.
Conclusions:
- ACE2 gene polymorphisms contribute significantly to the enhanced severity of COVID-19 in obese individuals.
- The findings provide a foundation for further research into the mechanisms underlying ACE2 SNP involvement in COVID-19 pathogenesis among obese patients.
- Targeted investigation of these ACE2 SNPs may offer insights into personalized risk assessment and management strategies for COVID-19 in obese populations.
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