The innate immune system is crucial in fighting SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, deepening our understanding of the underlying immune response mechanisms is fundamental for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The role of extra-oral bitter (TAS2Rs) and sweet (TAS1Rs) taste receptors in immune response regulation has yet to be fully understood. However, a few studies have investigated the association between taste receptor genes and COVID-19 symptom severity, with controversial results. Therefore, this study aims to deepen the relationship between COVID-19 symptom presence/severity and TAS1R and TAS2R38 (TAS2Rs member) genetic variations in a cohort of 196 COVID-19 patients. Statistical analyses detected significant associations between rs307355 of the TAS1R3 gene and the following COVID-19-related symptoms: chest pain and shortness of breath. Specifically, homozygous C/C patients are exposed to an increased risk of manifesting severe forms of chest pain (OR 8.11, 95% CI 2.26-51.99) and shortness of breath (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.71-17.32) in comparison with T/C carriers. Finally, no significant associations between the TAS2R38 haplotype and the presence/severity of COVID-19 symptoms were detected. This study, taking advantage of a clinically and genetically characterised cohort of COVID-19 patients, revealed TAS1R3 gene involvement in determining COVID-19 symptom severity independently of TAS2R38 activity, thus providing novel insights into the role of TAS1Rs in regulating the immune response to viral infections.
The Bittersweet Symphony of COVID-19: Associations between TAS1Rs and TAS2R38 Genetic Variations and COVID-19 Symptoms
Santin, Aurora;Spedicati, Beatrice;Nardone, Giuseppe Giovanni;Concas, Maria Pina
;Menini, Anna;Tirelli, Giancarlo;Boscolo-Rizzo, Paolo;Girotto, Giorgia
2024-01-01
Abstract
The innate immune system is crucial in fighting SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, deepening our understanding of the underlying immune response mechanisms is fundamental for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The role of extra-oral bitter (TAS2Rs) and sweet (TAS1Rs) taste receptors in immune response regulation has yet to be fully understood. However, a few studies have investigated the association between taste receptor genes and COVID-19 symptom severity, with controversial results. Therefore, this study aims to deepen the relationship between COVID-19 symptom presence/severity and TAS1R and TAS2R38 (TAS2Rs member) genetic variations in a cohort of 196 COVID-19 patients. Statistical analyses detected significant associations between rs307355 of the TAS1R3 gene and the following COVID-19-related symptoms: chest pain and shortness of breath. Specifically, homozygous C/C patients are exposed to an increased risk of manifesting severe forms of chest pain (OR 8.11, 95% CI 2.26-51.99) and shortness of breath (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.71-17.32) in comparison with T/C carriers. Finally, no significant associations between the TAS2R38 haplotype and the presence/severity of COVID-19 symptoms were detected. This study, taking advantage of a clinically and genetically characterised cohort of COVID-19 patients, revealed TAS1R3 gene involvement in determining COVID-19 symptom severity independently of TAS2R38 activity, thus providing novel insights into the role of TAS1Rs in regulating the immune response to viral infections.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
The_Bittersweet_Symphony_of_COVID-19_Associations_between_TAS1Rs_and_TAS2R38_Genetic_Variations_and_COVID-19_Symptoms.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Documento in Versione Editoriale
Licenza:
Creative commons
Dimensione
613.2 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
613.2 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Table S1_sweet receptors_logistic models.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Altro materiale allegato
Licenza:
Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione
235.63 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
235.63 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Table S2_sweet receptors_ordinal models.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Altro materiale allegato
Licenza:
Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione
221.47 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
221.47 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Table S3_TAS2R38_logistic models.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Altro materiale allegato
Licenza:
Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione
190.13 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
190.13 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Table S4_TAS2R38_ordinal models.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Altro materiale allegato
Licenza:
Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione
185.21 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
185.21 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Table S5_Abbreviations and acronyms.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Altro materiale allegato
Licenza:
Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione
128.6 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
128.6 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
Pubblicazioni consigliate
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.