Associations of Polymorphic Variants of the ABO Gene with the Development of the Severe Course of COVID-19

The results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) showed a significant association of several variants localized in the ABO gene, which determines ABO blood groups, with a severe phenotype in coronavirus infection COVID-19. However, the contradictory data on the identified associations indicate the importance of studying the effect of ABO gene variants on the severity of COVID-19 for different populations and ethnic groups. The association analysis for the ABO gene rs505922, rs550057, rs657152, and rs687289, that were previously associated with the development of severe clinical picture in patients with coronavirus infection COVID-19, was performed. It was established that the TT genotype of rs550057 increases the risk of severe COVID-19, while the CT genotype of rs505922 and AC genotype of rs657152 have a protective effect. The combinations of genotypes for the analyzed variants, associated with different course of COVID-19, were also established. The allele frequency distribution for the ABO gene variants is characterized by genogeographic variability, which can contribute to the interpopulation heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 severity. The proposed mechanisms of the influence of the ABO genetic system on the severe course of COVID-19 are considered.

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