People who don't get sick from COVID-19 may have a genetic mutation

[RV_]

I hope we can test cheaply for this mutation. Lots of folks could relax for themselves. I also want to know if the asymptomatic genetically favored get long COVID deficits despite no symptoms initially. Lots of advances in immunization science being made.

Excerpt:

"It's not magic, it's science. Recent research led by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) reveals that individuals who contract COVID-19 but remain symptom-free - dubbed as 'super dodgers' - may owe their resilience to a specific genetic mutation known as HLA.

According to the study, carriers of this gene variant are more than twice as likely to be asymptomatic. This, compared to those who experience symptoms after contracting the virus.

This study, published in Nature on July 19, 2023, represents a significant step in understanding the genetic influence on our body's response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research provides a possible explanation for why some people contract the virus but never fall ill.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)

The researchers centered their attention on the human leukocyte antigen (HLA), protein markers that are the immune system's smoke signal. A genetic mutation in one of the genes encoding the HLA allows virus-killing T cells to recognize SARS-CoV-2 rapidly, akin to triggering a lightning-fast attack.

It's as if these T cells, even when encountering the virus for the first time, can recognize it due to its similarity to the common cold viruses they've already combated. This important discovery could open up new paths for drug and vaccine development.

Jill Hollenbach, PhD, MPH, the study's lead researcher, explained it this way: "If you have an army that's able to recognize the enemy early, that's a huge advantage. It's like having soldiers that are prepared for battle and already know what to look for, and that these are the bad guys."

The genetic mutation, known as HLA-B*15:01, is relatively common, being present in about 10% of the study's participants. Carriers of this mutation don't avoid the virus itself, but they do sidestep the symptoms - from a runny nose to a slightly sore throat.

Hollenbach's team discovered that 20% of participants who remained symptom-free after contracting the virus carried at least one copy of the HLA-B*15:01 variant.

In comparison, only 9% of symptomatic individuals were carriers. Interestingly, the likelihood of remaining symptom-free increased more than eightfold for participants carrying two copies of the variant."

Much more in the article here:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/people-who-dont-get-sick-from-covid-19-may-have-a-genetic-mutation/ar-AA1e5v0j