Found, 5 genes that predict Covid risk

FIVE genes could help to explain why some of us become severely ill with coronavirus, a study revealed yesterday.

Drugs that are known to inhibit these genes could soon be trialled in hospitals.

The researchers found that Covid patients in intensive care were more likely to have certain genetic quirks.

Genes are not as important as age or previous illnesses but could mean some patients have a higher risk of lung damage.

Drugs currently used for rheumatoid arthritis and skin problems could be repurposed to help these patients.

The scientists looked at more than 2,200 Covid patients in intensive care – in the largest genetic study of its kind. Led by the University of Edinburgh, the research identified an overactive gene called TYK2 in very ill Covid patients, which may ramp up inflammation and ravage the lungs.

A drug called baricitinib, usually used for rheumatoid arthritis, could inhibit the gene’s activity if given early enough.

Another overactive gene called CCR2, which causes inflammation, could be tackled using anti-inflammatory drugs, including some currently in trials for psoriasis.

The findings were described as a ‘quantum leap forward’ by the chief scientist for

Genomics England, Sir Mark Caulfield. Dr Kenneth Baillie, the project’s chief investigator and senior research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘We’ve all seen striking patterns where a whole family is devastated by Covid, and it’s possible that the exact genes that we found underlie some of that risk.’

He added: ‘This is a stunning realisation of the promise of human genetics to help understand critical illness. Our results immediately highlight which drugs should be at the top of the list for clinical testing.’

The genes identified by the scientists, whose study is published in the journal Nature, are linked to immunity against the virus and inflammation. The genetic variations were discovered in intensive care patients when their genes were compared with those of with healthy people.

The minister for innovation, Lord Bethell, said: ‘Research like this is a big step forward in going further to advance our understanding of Covid-19 to help us protect the most vulnerable – ultimately saving lives across the world.’

Dr David Strain, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, described the research as ‘incredibly interesting’.

But he added that the implications for the findings are limited, saying: ‘These data are useful for predicting those that are at risk, however the majority of us do not know what our genes look like.’