Association between IL-6 rs1800795 and IL-1β rs 16944 gene polymorphisms with clinical severity of COVID-19 patients in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Cytokine plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cytokine storm is characterized by rapid elevation of an inflammatory circulating cytokine such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1. However, according to evidence, genetic variables may affect the development and course of infectious diseases. Multiple genetic polymorphisms, mostly single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been linked to this setting's predisposition to viral infections. This study aimed to determine the frequency distribution of IL-6 SNPs rs1800795 and IL-1β SNPs rs16944 and rs1143627 gene polymorphisms and their association with the clinical severity of COVID-19 patients in Surakarta, Indonesia. This study aims to determine the association between IL-6 rs1800795 and IL-1β rs16944 with COVID-19 clinical severity. Methods: This study used a cross sectional design conducted at Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital and centralized isolation of the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory from May to November 2021. A total of 120 COVID-19 patients were divided into 3 groups: asymptomatic, mild-moderate, and severe-critical. The detection of IL-6 SNPs rs1800795 and IL-1β SNPs rs16944 was carried out by quantitative PCR (qPCR) examination, and IL-6 and IL-1β were determined by the ELISA method. Result: There was no significant association between IL-6 SNPs rs1800795 (p=1.000) and IL-1β SNPs rs16944 (p=0.119) with clinical severity. In IL-1β SNPs rs16944 gene polymorphisms, the GG genotype was more commonly found in the asymptomatic group. AG genotype was commonly found in the symptomatic group (mild to critical). There was a significant association between IL-1β levels and clinical severity (p=0.03), whereas the association between IL-6 levels and clinical severity is not significant (p=0.103). Conclusion: There was a correlation between IL-1β levels with clinical severity. In IL-1β SNPs rs16944, the GG genotype may act as a protective factor, whereas the AG genotype may act as a factor that increases the clinical severity of COVID-19.