Analysis of the association of influenza clinical course with single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes affecting the interferon-λ3 production

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Abstract

Introduction. Predisposition to different courses of the infectious process is largely associated with the polymorphisms in human genome, especially in genes encoding proteins of the immune system. In the early stages of influenza infection such components of innate immunity as interferons I (α/β) and III (λ) type play a significant role in limiting virus replication.

The aim of the work was to investigate associations of single nucleotide polymorphism in IFNL3 (rs8099917 T/G) and IFNL4 (rs12979860 C/T) genes with different course of influenza, and identify genetic markers of influenza complicated by community-acquired pneumonia. The genes noted above affect the production of interferon-λ3, which is involved in restriction of the viral replication.

Materials and methods. Samples from 456 patients with mild (n = 150), moderate (n = 173), and severe (n = 133) influenza were studied. The viral RNA was detected by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Polymorphisms in IFNL3 (rs8099917 T/G) and IFNL4 (rs12979860 C/T) genes was detected by PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using SNPStats software.

Results. Patients with the C/T or T/T genotype of IFNL4 gene (rs12979860 C/T) were more likely to have pneumonia than those with the C/C genotype (OR 2.47 (1.31–4.63); p = 0.0044; q = 0.0059). The presence of one T allele increased the risk of developing pneumonia (OR 2.02 (1.05–4.02); p = 0.006; q = 0.008). In the presence of the T/T genotype, the risk increased more than twofold: OR 2.14 (1.31–3.48). Analysis of the SNP of IFNL3 gene (rs8099917 T/G) revealed a weak association of the G allele with pneumonia (OR 1.86 (1.04–3.31); p = 0.03; q = 0.045).

Conclusion. Genetic markers of increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia in influenza include the presence of the T allele in IFNL4 gene (rs12979860 C/T) and, to a lesser extent, the G allele in IFNL3 gene (rs8099917 T/G). Patients carrying these alleles have an increased risk of developing pneumonia, especially in old age.

About the authors

Lyudmila I. Nikolaeva

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Author for correspondence.
Email: l.i.nikolaeva@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1323-5568

D. Sci. in Biol., Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Gene Engineering Products

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Maya D. Stuchinskaya

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: mayastay@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8544-7482

Junior Researcher of the Laboratory of Gene Engineering Products

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Kristina P. Telepenina

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: telepenina_kristina@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-3380-5104

Researcher Assistant of the Laboratory of Gene Engineering Products

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Nadezhda G. Shevchenko

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: dr.nadya@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2486-4554

Junior Researcher of the Laboratory of Gene Engineering Products

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Victor V. Kuprianov

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: vkoop@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8602-1974

C. Sci. in Biol., Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Gene Engineering Products

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Kirill G. Krasnoslobodtsev

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: kkg_87@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1745-9128

Researcher of the Laboratory of Influenza Etiology and Epidemiology

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Evgenya A. Mukasheva

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: mukasheva_evgeniya@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5688-5309

Researcher of the Laboratory of Influenza Etiology and Epidemiology

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Svetlana V. Trushakova

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: s.trushakova@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9610-3041

C. Sci. in Biol., Senior Researcher of the Laboratory Influenza Etiology and Epidemiology

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Irina N. Khlopova

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: khlopova.ira@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7419-590X

C. Sci. in Med., Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Chronic Viral Infections

Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow

Irina S. Kruzhkova

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: irina-kru@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1983-481X

Researcher of the Laboratory of Respiratory Viral Infection with Drug Testing

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Lidya B. Kisteneva

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: lborisovna2007@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7336-409X

D. Sci. in Med., Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Chronic Viral Infections

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Lyudmila V. Kolobukhina

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: lkolobuchina@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5775-3343

D. Sci. in Med., Chief Researcher of Respiratory Viral Infection with Drug Testing

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Elena I. Burtseva

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: elena-burtseva@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2518-6801

D. Sci. in Med., Leading Researcher of the Influenza Etiology and Epidemiology

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

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Supplementary files

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2. Figure. Distribution of genotypes by loci of the IFNL3 (rs8099917 T/G) and IFNL4 (rs12979860 C/T) genes, taking into account age subgroups. The percentages are calculated for the entire group. The TT/TT genotype is not included due to the small number.

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Copyright (c) 2025 Nikolaeva L.I., Stuchinskaya M.D., Telepenina K.P., Shevchenko N.G., Kuprianov V.V., Krasnoslobodtsev K.G., Mukasheva E.A., Trushakova S.V., Khlopova I.N., Kruzhkova I.S., Kisteneva L.B., Kolobukhina L.V., Burtseva E.I.

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