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A novel intergenic variant linked to IFIH1 rs1990760 polymorphism, rs2111485, shows an association with susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 and influences IFIH1 protein levels.
  • Nor Effa S. Zulkafli,
  • Abdulraheem Y. Majeed,
  • Ali H. Ad’hiah
Nor Effa S. Zulkafli
Universiti Sains Malaysia Institut Perubatan dan Pengigian Termaju

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abdulraheem Y. Majeed
Anbar Health Directorate
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Ali H. Ad’hiah
University of Baghdad Al-Jaderyia Campus College of Science
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Abstract

Interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (IFIH1) is one of the main pattern recognition receptors that sense viral RNA and activate host cells to mount an effective antiviral immunity. Therefore, a case-control study (90 patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 and 90 matched controls) was performed to explore the association of two variants of the IFIH1 gene with COVID-19 risk using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase-chain-reaction method. The first is a missense variant, rs1990760 C/T, and the second is an intergenic variant, rs2111485 A/G. In addition, serum IFIH1 levels were assessed using an ELISA kit. Results revealed that mutant alleles ( T and G, respectively) and corresponding homozygous genotypes (TT and GG, respectively) of both variants were significantly associated with increased risk of COVID-19. IFIH1 levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls and were favorably affected by the rs1990760 and rs2111485 mutant-type genotypes. In conclusion, IFIH1 protein showed up-regulated levels in the serum of patients with mild/moderate COVID-19. In addition, the IFIH1 gene variants rs1990760 C/T and rs2111485 A/G were associated with susceptibility to COVID-19, and the study suggests that their mutant-type genotypes are not only associated with increased risk of COVID-19 but also contributed to higher serum IFIH1 levels.
13 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
13 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
13 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Feb 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned