Exploring the ethics of genetic prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccines

Bruce, Jago; Johnson, Stephanie

doi:10.1038/s41431-022-01058-1

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This strategy will reduce the burden on the availability of vaccines within resource-limited areas. This strategy has been recently suggested by Bruce and Johnson (2022), who showed that individuals with genetic risk factors should be prioritized for vaccination drives [75].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymorphisms within the SARS-CoV-2 Human Receptor Genes Associate with Variable Disease Outcomes across Ethnicities

Adimulam,

Arumugam,

Naidoo

et al. 2023

Genes

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The contribution of human genes to the variability of disease outcomes has been shown to be important across infectious diseases. Studies have shown mutations within specific human genes are associated with variable COVID-19 outcomes. We focused on the SARS-CoV-2 receptors/co-receptors to identify the role of specific polymorphisms within ACE2, TMPRSS2, NRP1 and CD147. Polymorphisms within ACE2 (rs2285666), TMPRSS2 (rs12329760), CD147 (rs8259) and NRP1 (rs10080) have been shown to associate with COVID-19 severity. Using cryopreserved samples from COVID-19-positive African, European and South Asian individuals within South Africa, we determined genotype frequencies. The genetic variant rs2285666 was associated with COVID-19 severity with an ethnic bias. African individuals with a CC genotype demonstrate more severe COVID-19 outcomes (OR = 7.5; 95% CI 1.164–80.89; p = 0.024) compared with those with a TT genotype. The expressions of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 viral load were measured using droplet digital PCR. Our results demonstrate rs2285666 and rs10080 were significantly associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 viral load and worse outcomes in certain ethnicities. This study demonstrates two important findings. Firstly, SARS-CoV-2 viral load is significantly lower in Africans compared with individuals of European and South Asian descent (p = 0.0002 and p < 0.0001). Secondly, SARS-CoV-2 viral load associates with specific SARS-CoV-2 receptor variants. A limited number of studies have examined the receptor/co-receptor genes within Africa. This study investigated genetic variants within the SARS-CoV-2 receptor/co-receptor genes and their association with COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2 viral load across different ethnicities. We provide a genetic basis for differences in COVID-19 severity across ethnic groups in South Africa, further highlighting the importance of further investigation to determine potential therapeutic targets and to guide vaccination strategies that may prioritize specific genotypes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymorphisms within the SARS-CoV-2 Human Receptor Genes Associate with Variable Disease Outcomes across Ethnicities

Adimulam,

Arumugam,

Naidoo

et al. 2023

Genes

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“…In a paradigm shift, prophylactic vaccines containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike surface protein gene delivered in both DNA and mRNA forms were approved in record time for emergency use [ 112 , 113 ]. The use of these methodologies has brought about several ethical questions regarding both their use and the speed of their approval [ 114 , 115 ]. However, the approach of nucleic acids as a vaccine for infectious diseases is not a novelty unique to COVID-19, since, before 2020, the use of DNA for developing therapies or prophylaxes for humans was addressed [ 116 ], such as vaccines for dengue [ 117 ], hepatitis [ 118 ], malaria [ 119 ], Chagas disease [ 120 ], and schistosomiasis [ 121 ].…”

Section: Theranostic Nucleotidementioning

confidence: 99%

Nucleotides Entrapped in Liposome Nanovesicles as Tools for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Use in Biomedical Applications

et al. 2023

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The use of nucleotides for biomedical applications is an old desire in the scientific community. As we will present here, there are references published over the past 40 years with this intended use. The main problem is that, as unstable molecules, nucleotides require some additional protection to extend their shelf life in the biological environment. Among the different nucleotide carriers, the nano-sized liposomes proved to be an effective strategic tool to overcome all these drawbacks related to the nucleotide high instability. Moreover, due to their low immunogenicity and easy preparation, the liposomes were selected as the main strategy for delivery of the mRNA developed for COVID-19 immunization. For sure this is the most important and relevant example of nucleotide application for human biomedical conditions. In addition, the use of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 has increased interest in the application of this type of technology to other health conditions. For this review article, we will present some of these examples, especially focused on the use of liposomes to protect and deliver nucleotides for cancer therapy, immunostimulatory activities, enzymatic diagnostic applications, some examples for veterinarian use, and the treatment of neglected tropical disease.

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“…While media are taking care mainly of the viral genome, the host genome is the real discriminant between severe COVID-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, while COVID-19 is representing a challenge for the health systems and society, it is the first real opportunity to move forward on understanding mechanisms and new rules useful in clinical practice of complex disorders, as described in the papers of this issue [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…explore how host genetics may impact decisions about vaccine administration. As host genetic factors influence vulnerability, as well as resistance to infection, they evaluate the prioritisation of genetic vulnerability in vaccination schemes, and the potential for ethical de-prioritisation for resistors [7]. Another unexplored area about vaccines is related to the socalled "more common" rare disease with impact on lung function such as α-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency (AATD) [8].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19: a challenge and an opportunity

Renieri

2022

Eur J Hum Genet

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Exploring the ethics of genetic prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccines

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Polymorphisms within the SARS-CoV-2 Human Receptor Genes Associate with Variable Disease Outcomes across Ethnicities

Polymorphisms within the SARS-CoV-2 Human Receptor Genes Associate with Variable Disease Outcomes across Ethnicities

Nucleotides Entrapped in Liposome Nanovesicles as Tools for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Use in Biomedical Applications

COVID-19: a challenge and an opportunity

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