Scientists at the University of California have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the immune system’s response to Covid-19. They have found that individuals with specific gene mutations related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) protein marker are significantly less likely to experience symptoms, even when infected with the virus. This suggests that their bodies are more adept at identifying and eliminating the virus before it can cause complications.
The lead researcher of the study, Professor Jill Hollenbach, likens this advantageous immune response to having prepared soldiers who can quickly recognize and neutralize the enemy. This research, published in the journal Nature, provides the first evidence of a genetic basis for why some individuals never become sick from Covid-19. It also opens up possibilities for innovative approaches to prevent future infections.
Approximately 10% of the population carries this specific gene mutation, which aligns with the proportion of people who never reported a Covid infection. While the mutation does not prevent the virus from infecting cells, it effectively stops the development of symptoms, leading many to remain unaware of their infection.
The study involved cross-referencing data from the US Covid-19 Citizen Science Study and US bone marrow registry, identifying infected individuals with and without symptoms, and examining their genetic profiles. Out of the 1,428 unvaccinated donors who tested positive between February 2020 and April 2021, 136 individuals remained asymptomatic for at least two weeks before and after testing positive. Those carrying two copies of the variant were over eight times more likely to remain symptom-free.
Further analysis conducted by La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia demonstrated that the immune cells of individuals with the mutation effectively responded to a specific peptide in Covid-19, known as NQK-Q8, which closely resembles the NQK-A8 peptide found in common cold viruses.
These findings offer hope for the development of new drugs or vaccines that can induce a similar immune response. Professor Stephanie Gras from La Trobe University, who conducted immune system experiments, believes that studying the immune response of these individuals could lead to new strategies for promoting immune protection against Sars-CoV-2 in future vaccine and drug development.
Overall, this research sheds light on the crucial role of genetic factors in determining an individual’s susceptibility to Covid-19 and paves the way for innovative approaches to combat future viral infections.
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