Factors related to asymptomatic or severe COVID-19 infection

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Nov:144:110296. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110296. Epub 2020 Sep 24.

Abstract

The factors that may contribute to a COVID-19 patient remaining in the asymptomatic stage, or to the infection evolving into the more serious stages are examined. In particular, we refer to the TMPRSS2 expression profile, balance of androgen and estrogen, blood group-A and/or B, nonsynonymous mutations in ORF3, and proteins NS7b and NS8 in SARS-CoV-2. Also, we review other factors related to the susceptibility and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D); ACE2; Androgen; Asymptomatic; Blood group; COVID-19 infection; Factors; Histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I; Mutation.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Androgens / metabolism
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / genetics
  • Asymptomatic Infections*
  • COVID-19 / genetics*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • Exome
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Mutation
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • NS8 protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Ns7b protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • TMPRSS2 protein, human