Association of the C3953T (rs1143634) variant of the interleukin 1 beta gene with the features of a complicated course of COVID-19-associated pneumonia

Mol Biol Rep. 2024 May 8;51(1):630. doi: 10.1007/s11033-024-09569-4.

Abstract

Background: The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 plays an important role in severe COVID-19. A change in IL-1 production may be associated with a mutation in the IL1Β gene. Our study analyzed the impact of the IL1Β gene variants (rs1143634) on disease progression in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, taking into account treatment strategies.

Methods and results: The study enrolled 117 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The IL1Β gene variants were identified using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. In the group of patients, the following genotype frequencies were found based on the investigated rs1143634 variant of the IL1Β gene: CC-65.8%, CT-28.2%, and TT-6.0%. Our results showed that the group of patients with the T allele of the IL1Β gene had higher leukocyte counts (p = 0.040) and more pronounced lymphopenia (p = 0.007). It was determined that patients carrying the T allele stayed on ventilators significantly longer (p = 0.049) and required longer treatment with corticosteroids (p = 0.045).

Conclusion: Identifying variants of the IL1Β gene can be used as a predictive tool for assessing the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia and tailoring personalized treatment strategies. Further research with a larger patient cohort is required to validate these findings.

Keywords: C3953T; COVID-19; Interleukin 1 beta; Pneumonia; rs1143634.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • COVID-19* / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta* / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2* / genetics

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • IL1B protein, human