Association between genetic variants in the CD209 gene and susceptibility to COVID-19 in Iranian population

Abstract

BackgroundNumerous studies are being conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the primary cause of the variation in COVID-19 susceptibility among populations. The cluster of Differentiation 209 (CD209) as a pathogen recognition receptor is found on alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) and plays a role in innate immunity and antiviral defense. Genetic background is an essential factor affecting patients' susceptibility to viral infections. In this study, a sample of the Iranian population was used to examine the relation between host genetic variants of the CD209 gene and susceptibility to COVID-19 disease. MethodsThis case-control study was conducted among non-immunized samples from the Ghods Clinic of Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, from March to June 2020. The CD209 rs4804803 polymorphism sample includes 106 hospitalized COVID-19 patients as the case group (54 females and 52 males) and 98 non-hospitalized patients with mild signs who were suspected COVID-19 patients as the control group (34 females and 64 males). The CD209 rs2287886 polymorphism population included 97 patients as the case group (52 females and 45 males) and 96 patients as the control group (33 females and 63 males). The PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens' genomic DNA. ResultsA significant correlation between the CD209 rs2287886 SNP and COVID-19 susceptibility was assessed among the groups. The AA genotype of the rs2287886 polymorphism was associated with an elevated likelihood of COVID-19 susceptibility (P = 0.032; OR: 2.565; 95% CI: 1.081–6.084). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the A allele of the rs2287886 polymorphism and an increased risk of COVID-19 (P = 0.011; OR: 1.728; 95% CI: 1.136–2.627). No significant difference was observed in the polymorphism frequency of the CD209 rs4804803 genotypes between the case and control groups. ConclusionOur results reveal that the CD209 gene polymorphism (rs2287886 SNP) is considered a host genetic factor that might impact individual vulnerability to COVID-19 disease.