Interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 genetic variant rs12252-C is associated with disease severity in COVID-19
Zhang Y., Qin L., Zhao Y., Zhang P., Xu B., Li K., Liang L., Zhang C., Dai Y., Feng Y., Sun J., Hu Z., Xiang H., Knight JC., Dong T., Jin R.
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>A major unanswered question in the current global COVID-19 outbreak is why a small minority of infected individuals develop severe disease. Here we report that homozygosity for the C allele of rs12252 in the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) gene is associated with more severe disease in an age dependent manner. This supports a role for IFITM3 in disease pathogenesis and the opportunity for early targeted intervention in at risk individuals.</jats:p>