Exploring associations between IL-6R variant rs2228145 and COVID-19

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigation of potential associations between the rs2228145 variant of the Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) gene and the pathophysiologies of COVID-19 and long-COVID

• IRAS ID

  321488

• Contact name

  Richard Webb

• Contact email

  rwebb@cardiffmet.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Cardiff Metropolitan University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 4 months, 4 days

• Research summary

  COVID-19 infection produces a variety of responses in different individuals: from no symptoms at all, through mild fever/blocked nose, to severe respiratory distress, organ failure and death. The risk of dying from COVID-19 increases with age and with existing health problems. However, our genes may also have a part to play.
  Genetic differences in the immune system affect its response to different types of infection, with some genes associated with severe COVID-19 infection requiring intensive care admission.
  Cytokines are tiny molecules involved in the immune system. This study is interested in a cytokine (IL-6) involved in severe responses to COVID infection. Drugs that block the effect of IL-6 reduce risk of death in some patients who are very unwell with COVID-19, but do not benefit everybody.
  There are genetic differences in the IL-6 gene and the gene for its receptor, and these differences may help to explain the diverse responses to COVID-19 (and to IL-6 blocking drugs).
  This study’s aim is to investigate the influence of genetic differences in the IL-6 receptor gene on the body’s response to COVID-19 infection.
  We will collect genetic samples from a variety of individuals with different experiences of COVID-19: those who have never been infected; those with mild symptoms; those unwell enough to be hospitalised, and those who have suffered from prolonged illness (‘Long Covid’). Participants will complete questionnaires about their COVID-19 experience/symptoms and will provide saliva and/or blood samples to identify which type of IL-6 receptor gene they have inherited and to measure IL-6 activity. Identifying a relationship between genetic variants of IL-6 and severity/duration of COVID-19 symptoms may help us to identify high-risk individuals, and to develop effective treatments for acute and Long Covid.

• REC name

  Wales REC 1

• REC reference

  23/WA/0170

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Jun 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion