Deletion of the NKG2C receptor encoding KLRC2 gene and HLA-E variants are risk factors for severe COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Host genetic variants may contribute to severity of COVID-19. NKG2C⁺ NK cells are potent antiviral effector cells, potentially limiting the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections. NKG2C is an activating NK cell receptor encoded by the KLRC2 gene, which binds to HLA-E on infected cells leading to NK cell activation. Heterozygous or homozygous KLRC2 deletion (KLRC2^del) may naturally occur and is associated with a significantly lower or absent NKG2C expression level. In addition, HLA-E*0101/0103 genetic variants occur, caused by a single-nucleotide polymorphism. We therefore investigated whether the severity of COVID-19 is associated with these genetic variants.

Methods

We investigated the distribution of KLRC2 deletion and HLA-E*0101/0103 allelic variant

SUBMITTER: Vietzen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7835668 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature