The Role of Host Genetics in the Susceptibility, Severity, and Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is the causative agent of COVID-19 disease. This virus emerged in China and spread quickly worldwide, responsible for nearly 596 million infections and 6.4 million deaths globally. The different variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 identified in different parts of the world are alarming for serious public health concerns. The VOCs place constraints on utilizing monoclonal antibodies to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has a spherical envelope and single-stranded positive-sense RNA. It primarily encodes four structural proteins (S, E, M, and N) and numerous non-structural proteins (NSPs). Numerous vaccines that target SARS-CoV-2 various SARS-CoV-2 sites have recently been developed, and more are in works. The concerns regarding the newly emerging virus strains are still very high. The latest scientific information on disease susceptibility suggests that multiple genetic factors are associated with COVID-9 disease severity. The genetic architect of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. The different VOCs contain various mutations and many of which are localized to the S protein. Mostly these mutations are responsible for the changes in viral behavior and pathogenesis. Several host genetic factors that are associated with illness susceptibility, severity, and immune response to SARS-CoV-2 have been covered in this book chapter.