Study of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients

• Published in: Journal of microbiology, immunology and infection Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 421 - 427
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez-Bautista, Juan Francisco, Rodriguez-Nicolas, Antonio, Rosales-Castillo, Antonio, López-Ruz, Miguel Ángel, Martín-Casares, Antonia María, Fernández-Rubiales, Alonso, Anderson, Per, Garrido, Federico, Ruiz-Cabello, Francisco, López-Nevot, Miguel Ángel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.06.2022; Taiwan Society of Microbiology. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alleles; COVID-19; COVID-19 - genetics; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Haplotypes; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; HLA polymorphisms; HLA-A Antigens - genetics; HLA-DRB1 Chains - genetics; Humans; Original; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; HLA polymorphisms; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 1684-1182; 1995-9133; 1995-9133
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2021.08.009

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) plays an important role in immune responses to infections, especially in the development of acquired immunity. Given the high degree of polymorphisms that HLA molecules present, some will be more or less effective in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. We wanted to analyze whether certain polymorphisms may be involved in the protection or susceptibility to COVID-19. We studied the polymorphisms in HLA class I (HLA-A, -B and -C) and II (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) molecules in 450 patients who required hospitalization for COVID-19, creating one of the largest HLA-typed patient cohort to date. Our results show that there is no relationship between HLA polymorphisms or haplotypes and susceptibility or protection to COVID-19. Our results may contribute to resolve the contradictory data on the role of HLA polymorphisms in COVID-19 infection.