Do genetic variants of the Y chromosome affect mortality from COVID-19

Lenning, Ole Bernt ; Myhre, Ronny ; Vadla, May Sissel ; Omdal, Roald ; Martínez Jarreta, Begoña (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gómez Moreno, Ángel ; De Blas, Ignacio ; Braut, Geir Sverre

Resumen: Aims: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant differences in mortality patterns emerged based on sex and geographical regions. While we were studying on the heredity of variants of the Y chromosome, we observed that regional variations in mortality rates appeared to correlate with the geographical distribution of certain variants of the Y chromosome. This observation led us to propose that some genes on the Y chromosome, with an influence on immune responses, may represent a confounding factor in the observed geographical mortality differences. Methods: In this analysis, we investigate the potential associations between COVID-19 morbidity and disease-specific mortality and specific Y chromosome variants. The study is based on publicly available pandemic data validated by state authorities or presented in scientific literature documented in PubMed and Medline. Results: We find that Y chromosome haplogroups in different populations exhibit wave-like patterns corresponding with persistent global disparities in COVID-19-related mortality. Conclusions: These findings warrant further research to uncover possible new pathophysiological mechanisms.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1177/14034948251333236

Año: 2025

Publicado en: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 1 (2025), 5 pp.
ISSN: 1403-4948

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Medicina Legal y Forense (Dpto. Farmac.Fisiol.y Med.L.F.)