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Association between vitamin D polymorphisms and binding protein and COVID-19 risk and severity in children
Victoria Giatraki1,2, Helen Dimitriou2, Georgia Martimianaki2
1Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School University of Crete, Greece , Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Insights
Genetic background influences vitamin D's effect on COVID-19 in children. The VDR FokI FF genotype is linked to increased COVID-19 risk and severity in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The impact of genetic variations on vitamin D's role in pediatric COVID-19 is not well understood.
- Investigating genetic factors is crucial for understanding disease susceptibility and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between vitamin D pathway genetic variants and COVID-19 occurrence and severity in children.
- To explore the relationship between genetic background, 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, and COVID-19 in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin D receptor (VDR) and VDBP genes in 60 pediatric COVID-19 patients and 60 controls.
- Utilized polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays for genetic analysis.
Main Results:
- The VDR FokI FF genotype was more prevalent in COVID-19 patients, correlating with increased disease risk (OR 2.04).
- The VDR FokI FF genotype was significantly associated with increased COVID-19 severity in children (OR 0.20).
- The Gc1F haplotype was more frequent in controls, suggesting a protective role.
Conclusions:
- The VDR FokI FF genotype may be a significant genetic risk factor for COVID-19 in children.
- This genotype appears to influence disease severity, highlighting potential clinical implications.
Background:
The effects of genetic background on the biological effects of vitamin D on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children remain unclear.
Purpose:
This study aimed to explore the association between vitamin D-related genetic background and 25- hydroxyvitamin D status and COVID-19 occurrence and severity in children. Here we explored key genetic variants within the vitamin D pathway in pediatric COVID-19 patients in relation to circulating vitamin D binding protein (VDBP).
Methods:
Sixty children aged 0-14 years with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and 60 matched controls were genotyped for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene (FokI, BsmI, TaqI, ApaI), Gc gene of VDBP (rs7041, rs4588), and CYP27B1 promoter (rs10877012) single nucleotide polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.
Results:
The FokI FF genotype was more frequently identified among COVID-19 patients than controls, among whom the TaqI TT genotype was prevalent (odds ratio [OR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-4.73; P=0.02; and OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13-0.63; P=0.001, respectively). The Gc1F haplotype was significantly more represented in controls versus COVID-19 patients (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19- 0.81; P=0.01). A 2.04-fold increased risk of COVID-19 was observed in the presence of the VDR FokI F allele (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.14-3.64; P=0.01). A multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between the FokI FF genotype and disease severity (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04-0.83; P=0.02). Serum VDBP levels were similar between groups.
Conclusion:
The FF genotype of the VDR FokI polymorphism may be associated with COVID-19 and have a significant clinical impact on disease severity in children.
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