Angiotensin System Polymorphisms’ in SARS-CoV-2 Positive Patients: Assessment Between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients: A Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Cafiero C (Author), Rosapepe F (Author), Palmirotta R (Author), Re A (Author), Ottaiano MP (Author), Benincasa G (Author), Perone R (Author), Varriale E (Author), D'Amato G (Author), Cacciamani A (Author), Micera A (Author), Pisconti S (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Dove Medical Press, 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1178-7066
• Keywords: ace; agt; agtr1; raas; polymorphisms; sars-cov-2; asymptomatic; covid-19; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Vol Volume 14, Pp 621-629 (2021)

Concetta Cafiero,1,* Felice Rosapepe,2,* Raffaele Palmirotta,3,* Agnese Re,4 Maria Pia Ottaiano,5 Giulio Benincasa,6 Romina Perone,7 Elisa Varriale,8 Gerardo D’Amato,9 Andrea Cacciamani,10 Alessandra Micera,10 Salvatore Pisconti1 1Medical Oncology, SG Moscati Hospital, Taranto, Italy; 2Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Pineta Grande Hospital, Castelvolturno, CE, Italy; 3Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy; 4Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; 5Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy; 6Department of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Biology, Pineta Grande Hospital, Castel Volturno, CE, Italy; 7Anesthesiology Department, Pineta Grande Hospital, Castelvolturno, CE, Italy; 8UOS Oncology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Naples, Italy; 9Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery, A Gemelli Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy; 10Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS — Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Alessandra MiceraResearch Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS — Fondazione Bietti, 6 via di Santo Stefano Rotondo, Rome, 00184, ItalyTel [phone]Email [e-mail] PalmirottaInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, Bari, 70124, ItalyEmail [e-mail]: The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), a metabolic cascade regulating pressure and circulating blood volume, has been considered the main system involved in the pathogenesis of severe lung injury and organs decline in COVID-19 patients. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE1), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensinogen (AGT) and receptors angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1) are key factors for SARS-CoV-2 entering in the cells, sodium and water retention with an increase blood pressure, promotion of fibrotic and inflammatory phenomena resulting in a cytokine storm.Methods: In this pilot study, the frequencies of six polymorphisms in the ACE1, ACE2, AGT and AGTR1 genes were analysed in symptomatic patients affected by COVID-19 and compared with the results obtained from asymptomatic subjects.Results: Thus, we have identified that rs2074192 (ACE2), rs1799752 (ACE1) and rs699 (AGT) SNPs could potentially be a valuable tool for predicting the clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. A genetic predisposition may be prospected for severe internal organ damages and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19 disease, as observed in symptomatic vs asymptomatic.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that analysis of RAAS polymorphisms could be considered the key point in understanding and predicting the SARS-CoV-2 course infection.Keywords: ACE, AGT, AGTR1, RAAS, polymorphisms, SARS-CoV-2, asymptomatic, COVID-19