The Overlap between Genetic Susceptibility to COVID-19 and Skin Diseases

Immunol Invest. 2022 May;51(4):1087-1094. doi: 10.1080/08820139.2021.1876086. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly affects the respiratory system, but the involvement of other organ systems has also been commonly reported. Acute acro-ischemia or chilblain like lesions were among the first recognized dermatological presentations of COVID-19. Though the occurrence of such lesions has been attributed to the similar interferon-1 mediated immune response in both COVID-19 and systemic lupus erythematosus, we propose another possible explanation based on a common genetic background. In a recent genome-wide association study, the 3p21.31 region was found to be associated with COVID-19 severity. This region also contains the TREX1 gene. Missense mutations of the TREX1 gene are responsible for familial chilblain lupus and its genetic polymorphisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Based on this observation, herein we have reviewed other COVID-19 risk loci for potential overlap with dermatological conditions.

Keywords: COVID-19; autoimmunity; chilblain lupus; genetic susceptibility; psoriasis; viral.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases* / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / genetics
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / pathology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Phosphoproteins* / genetics
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Phosphoproteins
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • three prime repair exonuclease 1