Factores genéticos asociados a long COVID / Genetic factors associated with long COVID

Introducción: La variabilidad de la expresión y la evolución de la COVID no se explican completamente por los factores clínicos, atribuyéndose un importante papel a los genéticos. Además, se ha planteado si los mismos componentes genéticos que participan en la susceptibilidad y gravedad de la infección influyen en su evolución hacia long COVID. Como objetivo nos propusimos revisar la literatura a fin de conocer cuáles son los factores genéticos que intervienen en la génesis de la COVID persistente. Material y métodos: Revisión sistemática en PubMed y repositorios bioRxiv y medRxiv con base en los descriptores y términos Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) relacionados con COVID y factores genéticos. Fueron seleccionados 2.705 artículos. Un primer cribado, realizado de manera independiente por los autores, redujo la lista a 205 y finalmente, tras un análisis más detallado, se eligieron 85 trabajos para su lectura completa y revisión. Resultados: La enzima convertidora de angiotensina 2 (ACE2) y la proteasa transmembrana, serina 6 (TMPSS6) están implicadas en la susceptibilidad, sin embargo, no se ha encontrado su participación en long COVID. Sí se han hallado algunas asociaciones entre genes, que intervienen en la respuesta inflamatoria e inmune, con la gravedad de la enfermedad y el desarrollo de long COVID. La relación más importante se ha observado en el locus FOXP4. Conclusiones: Aunque actualmente la información sobre long COVID es limitada, parece claro que los factores genéticos identificados hasta ahora no justifican la progresión hacia una enfermedad persistente y se debe considerar la participación de otros componentes como la acción poligénica, de genes pleiotrópicos, de la microbiota y de los cambios epigenéticos.(AU)

Introduction: The variability in expression and evolution of COVID is not completely explained by clinical factors. In fact, genetic factors play an important role. Moreover, it is unknown whether the genetic factor that contribute to susceptibility and severity are also involved in the onset and evolution of long-COVID. The objective of this review is to gather information from literature to understand which genetic factors are involved in the onset of persistent COVID. Material and methods: Systematic review in PubMed and bioRxiv and medRxiv repositories based on MeSH-descriptors and MeSH-terms related to COVID and genetic factors. Using these terms 2715 articles were pooled. An initial screening performed by authors independently, selected 205 articles of interest. A final deeper screening a total of 85 articles were chosen for complete reading and summarized in this review. Results: Although ACE2 and TMPSS6 are involved in COVID susceptibility, their involvement in long-COVID has not been found. On the other hand, the severity of the disease and the onset of long-COVID has been associated with different genes involved in the inflammatory and immune response. Particularly interesting has been the association found with the FOXP4 locus. Conclusions: Although studies on long-COVID are insufficient to fully comprehend the cause, it is clear that the current identified genetic factors do not fully explain the progression and onset of long-COVID. Other factors such as polygenic action, pleiotropic genes, the microbiota and epigenetic changes must be considered and studied.(AU)

[Genetic factors associated with long COVID]. / Factores genéticos asociados a long COVID.

INTRODUCTION: The variability in expression and evolution of COVID is not completely explained by clinical factors. In fact, genetic factors play an important role. Moreover, it is unknown whether the genetic factor that contribute to susceptibility and severity are also involved in the onset and evolution of long-COVID. The objective of this review is to gather information from literature to understand which genetic factors are involved in the onset of persistent COVID. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic review in PubMed and bioRxiv and medRxiv repositories based on MeSH-descriptors and MeSH-terms related to COVID and genetic factors. Using these terms 2715 articles were pooled. An initial screening performed by authors independently, selected 205 articles of interest. A final deeper screening a total of 85 articles were chosen for complete reading and summarized in this review. RESULTS: Although ACE2 and TMPSS6 are involved in COVID susceptibility, their involvement in long-COVID has not been found. On the other hand, the severity of the disease and the onset of long-COVID has been associated with different genes involved in the inflammatory and immune response. Particularly interesting has been the association found with the FOXP4 locus. CONCLUSIONS: Although studies on long-COVID are insufficient to fully comprehend the cause, it is clear that the current identified genetic factors do not fully explain the progression and onset of long-COVID. Other factors such as polygenic action, pleiotropic genes, the microbiota and epigenetic changes must be considered and studied.