They detect a genetic mutation that prevents the symptoms of covid-19

A genetic mutation could explain why some people never develop symptoms when they contract the virus. covid-19as revealed on Wednesday by a study published in the journal “Nature”.

Research from the University of California (USA) provides, for the first time, evidence that there is a genetic component in asymptomatic individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

The key, the experts explain, lies in the leukocyte antigens (HLA), proteins that allow the immune system to differentiate between its own healthy cells and harmful elements.

A mutation in one of the HLA-encoding genes could be responsible for T cells (or thymocytes) being able to identify and attack the coronavirus.

According to the study, the T cells of some people who have this genetic variant can detect SARS-CoV-2, even if it is unknown to the body, because it resembles other common seasonal viruses.

This finding, the researchers emphasize, can help to develop new drugs and vaccines in the fight against this type of disease.

“If you have an army that is able to recognize the enemy early, that is a great advantage. It’s like having soldiers ready for battle who know what to look for and who the bad guys are.”exposes Jill Hollenbach, main author of this work.

The aforementioned mutation, called HLA-B*15:01, is quite common, as experts detected it in around 10% of the population included in the study, but warn that it does not prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells.

However, it does neutralize the symptoms of covd-19, such as rhinorrhea (runny nose) or sore throat.

The researchers found that the twenty% of study subjects who remained asymptomatic after infection had at least one copy of the HLA-B*15:01 variant, compared to 9% who developed symptoms.

And those who had two copies of the mutation had “much more likely” (up to eight times more) to avoid the symptoms of the coronavirus.

Source: EFE