[Reading Science] Identified Key Gene Causing 'Long COVID'

Finnish Research Team Analyzes Genes of 6,450 People Suffering from Aftereffects

Mr. A, in his early 40s, struggled for a while after contracting COVID-19 early last year, unable to smell food. Another person in his 40s, Mr. B, suffered from concentration and memory impairments after recovering from COVID-19. Scientists have attracted attention by identifying genetic factors related to the so-called long COVID phenomenon, which involves up to 200 types of long-term sequelae following COVID-19 infection.

Virus. Illustration. Not related to the article.

A research team from the Finnish Institute for Molecular Medicine (FIMM) published these findings on June 1 on the medical preprint site medRxiv.

The team conducted genetic analyses on 6,450 individuals across 16 countries who suffered from long-term sequelae after recovering from COVID-19, including concentration and memory impairments, neuralgia, and severe fatigue. The results showed that these individuals commonly possessed specific variations in the DNA structure of the FOXP4 gene, which activates the lungs and certain immune cells. Their likelihood of developing long-term COVID-19 sequelae was 1.6 times higher than that of normal individuals.

This gene had previously been identified as increasing the risk of severe COVID-19. There have also been studies indicating a strong association with lung cancer. Of course, the probability of developing sequelae is also higher in cases of severe COVID-19. However, the research team discovered that the DNA variation in this gene contributes so significantly to the development of long-term sequelae that it cannot be explained solely by its association with severe COVID-19.

The research team explained in the international journal Nature, "The impact of this gene variation on the development of long-term sequelae is much stronger than that of severe COVID-19," adding, "We have found one of the important clues for treatment and prevention for patients suffering from long-term COVID-19 sequelae."

Scientists emphasize the need for further research to identify the diverse causes and solutions for COVID-19 sequelae. Professor Chris Ponting, a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Edinburgh, UK, stated, "(There cannot be) a single answer to long-term COVID-19 sequelae, and vulnerable individuals may have various causes," adding, "Although very complex factors are intertwined, it is crucial to separate them. This is because the health and socioeconomic costs of long COVID are enormous."