A recent genetic analysis has revealed that a certain variant of an anti-inflammatory gene provides protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 for men under the age of 75. The study, conducted by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, focused on the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) variant, specifically the rs419598 variant.
The study involved 2,589 men and women hospitalized for COVID-19 at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital in Manhattan from March 2020 to March 2021. The analysis found that men between the ages of 19 and 74 who possessed the IL1RN variant were significantly less likely to experience severe illness after hospitalization for COVID-19. In fact, they were 80 percent less likely to succumb to the disease.
IL1RN is a naturally expressed gene in the body and is known to regulate inflammation. The study suggests that the IL1RN variant plays a crucial role in controlling interleukin-1–related inflammation associated with COVID-19. The findings are particularly significant given that historically, more men than women have been known to die from COVID-19.
Notably, the protective effect of the IL1RN rs419598 variant appears to be selective, only offering protection to men up to the age of 74. Beyond that age, the variant does not seem to provide the same level of protection, especially as age-related chronic illnesses unfold.
The research team utilized sequencing technologies to identify specific genetic variations in blood samples from the hospitalized individuals. The study’s participants were predominantly older than 60 and had obesity, both of which are recognized as factors that increase the risk of death from COVID-19.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the genetic factors that influence the severity of COVID-19 and could potentially pave the way for targeted treatments and interventions for at-risk individuals. As the scientific community continues to unravel the complexities of the virus, these findings offer hope for more personalized and effective approaches to managing the impact of COVID-19.
