- Published
- 26 April 2024
- Journal article
Lack of association between classical HLA genes and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Authors
-
- Source
- Human Genetics and Genomics Advances
Abstract
Human genetic studies of critical COVID-19 pneumonia have revealed the essential role of type I interferon-dependent innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, an association between the HLA-B∗15:01 allele and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated individuals was recently reported, suggesting a contribution of pre-existing T cell-dependent adaptive immunity. We report a lack of association of classical HLA alleles, including HLA-B∗15:01, with pre-omicron asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated participants in a prospective population-based study in the United States (191 asymptomatic vs. 945 symptomatic COVID-19 cases). Moreover, we found no such association in the international COVID Human Genetic Effort cohort (206 asymptomatic vs. 574 mild or moderate COVID-19 cases and 1,625 severe or critical COVID-19 cases). Finally, in the Human Challenge Characterisation study, the three HLA-B∗15:01 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed symptoms. As with other acute primary infections studied, no classical HLA alleles favoring an asymptomatic course of SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified.
Cite as
Marchal, A., Cirulli, E., Neveux, I., Bellos, E., Thwaites, R., Schiabor Barrett, K., Zhang, Y., Nemes-Bokun, I., Kalinova, M., Catchpole, A., Tangye, S., Spaan, A., Lack, J., Ghosn, J., Burdet, C., Gorochov, G., Tubach, F., Hausfater, P., Abel, L., Aiuti, A. & Covid Human Genetic Effort 2024, 'Lack of association between classical HLA genes and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection', Human Genetics and Genomics Advances, 5(3), article no: 100300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100300