Human genetics implicate thromboembolism in the pathogenesis of long COVID in individuals of European ancestry

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In Vitro Microfluidic Disease Model to Study Whole Blood-Endothelial Interactions and Blood Clot Dynamics in Real-Time

Published on: May 24, 2020

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Art Schuermans, Andreas Verstraete, Vilma Lammi

    Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
    |May 27, 2024
    PubMed

    Insights

    Genetic links between venous thromboembolism and long COVID provide evidence for a causal role. This study suggests blood clot risks may contribute to long COVID development in humans.

    Area of Science:

    • Genetics
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Cardiovascular Science

    Background:

    • Long COVID, a post-acute condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects multiple organs.
    • Mechanisms like persistent inflammation and thromboembolism are hypothesized but lack human genetic evidence.
    • Causal associations between thromboembolic risk and long COVID remain unclear.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between genetically predicted venous thromboembolism risk and long COVID.
    • To explore potential molecular pathways, such as protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), in long COVID pathogenesis.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized genetic data from the Long COVID Host Genetics Initiative (3,018 cases, 994,582 controls).
    • Employed Mendelian randomization and other genetic association analyses.
    • Integrated gene expression and protein data for downstream molecular investigations.

    Main Results:

    • Increased genetically predicted venous thromboembolism risk was significantly associated with higher odds of long COVID (OR=1.21).
    • The association remained robust and independent of acute COVID-19 severity.
    • Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) was identified as a potential molecular contributor.

    Conclusions:

    • Provides human genetic evidence supporting a causal link between thromboembolism and long COVID.
    • Suggests that thromboembolic pathways may play a role in the development of long COVID.
    • Highlights PAR-1 as a potential therapeutic target for long COVID.

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