Possible effect of E-SELECTIN (Ser128Arg), L-SELECTIN (Pro213Ser), P-SELECTIN (Thr715Pro) gene polymorphisms for COVID-19 disease severity

Abstract

COVID-19 is an inflammatory disease characterized by a severe immune response, the pathogenesis of which is mediated by many cytokines. It was determined that the cytokine storm that occurs during severe infection may trigger coagulopathy by disrupting the interaction between platelets, endothelium, and leukocytes. Selectins (P-SELECTIN, L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN) are active in the mammalian immune system, especially in tissues. They are important adhesion molecules that play a part in the formation of the inflammatory response and the healing process. In this study, the probable effects of L-SELECTIN, P-SELECTIN, and E-SELECTIN gene variations on the pathogenesis of COVID-19 (on the severity and course of the disease) were investigated. In this direction, 44 controls and 129 patients (45 mild symptoms, 30 ward patients, and 54 intensive care patients) were included in the study. Genotyping of selectin polymorphisms was performed by the PCR-Restriction Fragment-Length Polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. In E-SELECTIN, CC genotype and C allele frequency were higher in inpatients than in the control group. The allele frequency and AA genotype were higher in the control group (p = 0.0001). No significant relationship was detected with P-SELECTIN and L-SELECTIN polymorphisms. In addition, the binary genotype distribution between the loci studied in our study and the control groups was also examined. Statistically significant differences were detected in P-SELECTIN/E-SELECTIN and E-SELECTIN/L-SELECTIN binary genotypes. Therefore, it was concluded that binary genotypes may affect disease severity or the course of the disease.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• E-SELECTIN
• L-SELECTIN
• P-SELECTIN
• polymorphisms
• susceptibility

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