Halima KHOLAIQ

Morocco

Human genetic and immunological determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Halima Kholaiq1, Jalila El Bakkouri1,2, Ahmed Aziz Bousfiha1,2,3
1. Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Inflammation and Allergies (LICIA), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
2. Immunopathology-Immunotherapy-Immunomonitoring Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco.
3. Clinical Immunology and Infectious Pediatrics Department, Abderrahim Harouchi Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco

Abstract

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces pneumonia and acute respiratory failure in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with inborn errors of immunity to type I interferon (IFN-I).

Methods

A search was conducted via PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar using the keywords “COVID-19”, “genetic predisposition to severe forms of COVID-19 and IFN-I” “auto-antibodies against IFN-I”, “genetic predisposition to COVID-19”, Overall, we collected all the articles published in English from 1984 to 2023

Results

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection varies widely, ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to life-threatening illness and organ failure, with a higher incidence in men than in women. Approximately 3–5% of critical COVID-19 patients under 60 and a smaller percentage of elderly patients exhibit genetic defects in IFN-I production, including X-chromosome-linked TLR7 and autosomal TLR3 deficiencies. Around 15–20% of cases over 70 years old, and a smaller percentage of younger patients, present with preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons.

Conclusions

further investigations in expanded patient cohorts are needed to validate these findings and pave the way for new genetic approaches to MIS-C. This review aims to present recent evidence from the scientific literature on genetic and immunological abnormalities predisposing individuals to critical SARS-CoV-2 infection through IFN-I. Understanding the immunological mechanisms and pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 may inform personalized patient care and population protection strategies against future serious viral infections.