This study, published in Nature, intentionally exposed 36 unvaccinated volunteers to SARS-CoV-2. This revealed that individuals with elevated activity of the obscure gene HLA-DQA2 were less likely to develop sustained infections. The research provided an unprecedentedly detailed view of the immune system’s response to the coronavirus. It shows that those who avoided infection had either widespread subtle changes in certain immune cells or a rapid interferon response in their noses. Surprisingly, in participants who got sick, interferon activity was detected in the blood before the nose. The study suggests that swift, localized immune activity at the infection site may prevent the virus from taking hold. Moreover, the obscure gene HLA-DQA2 could potentially predict susceptibility to infection. While the research offers valuable insights into early infection dynamics, the authors acknowledge that the findings may differ in populations with existing immunity from vaccination or prior infection.
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An Obscure Gene and COVID-19 Immunity
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