Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
A Method to Study the C924T Polymorphism of the Thromboxane A2 Receptor Gene
Published on: April 1, 2019
Association between TMPRSS2 rs2070788 polymorphism and COVID-19 severity: a case-control study in multiple cities of
Arezoo Faridzadeh1,2, Mahmoud Mahmoudi1,2, Bahman Rahimlou3
1Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Introduction:
Host genetic variations have been identified as potential influencers of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to examine the association between transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2) rs2070788 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the prognosis of COVID-19 in Iranian populations.
Method:
This case-control study was performed on 756 COVID-19 patients and 59 healthy individuals across Iran. Clinical data, blood samples, and the presence of the TMPRSS2 rs2070788: G>A SNP were determined using T-ARMS-PCR. Additionally, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β were evaluated in the collected blood samples.
Results:
No significant association was found between the genotypes and allele frequencies of TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP and susceptibility to or mortality from COVID-19 infection. However, we observed a substantial increase in IL-6 and CRP levels associated with the severity of COVID-19, while no such trend was observed for IL-1β and TNF-α. This study showed a considerable rise in TNF-α and IL-1β serum levels exclusively in COVID-19 patients with TT rs2070788 TMPRSS2 SNP genotype compared to healthy controls.
Conclusion:
In this study conducted across multiple cities in Iran, no significant association was found between the TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP genotypes and COVID-19 severity or mortality.
Insights
The TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP did not influence COVID-19 susceptibility or mortality in Iranians. However, elevated IL-6 and CRP levels correlated with COVID-19 severity, while specific TMPRSS2 genotypes showed altered TNF-α and IL-1β levels.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Host genetic variations can influence COVID-19 outcomes.
- The transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2) gene plays a role in viral entry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the TMPRSS2 rs2070788 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and COVID-19 prognosis in an Iranian population.
- To explore the relationship between this SNP and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 756 COVID-19 patients and 59 healthy controls from Iran.
- Genotyping of the TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP using T-ARMS-PCR.
- Measurement of serum inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP genotypes/alleles and COVID-19 susceptibility or mortality.
- Increased serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity.
- COVID-19 patients with the TT genotype of TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP exhibited elevated serum TNF-α and IL-1β compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The TMPRSS2 rs2070788 SNP is not a significant predictor of COVID-19 severity or mortality in the Iranian population.
- Inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP are strongly linked to COVID-19 severity.
- Specific TMPRSS2 genotypes may influence the inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients.
