SARS-CoV-2 Infection Boosts Antiviral Effector in COVID-19 Patients.

In a published case-control study (GSE152075) from SARS-CoV-2-positive (n = 403) and -negative patients (n = 50), we analyzed the response to infection assessing gene expression of host cell receptors and antiviral proteins. The expression analysis associated with reported risk factors for COVID-19 was also assessed. SARS-CoV-2 cases had higher , but lower , and expression compared with negative cases. COVID-19 patients' age negatively affected expression. and were higher in COVID-19 patients. A negative trend for and was observed as patients' age increased. Principal-component analysis determined that , , , and expression was able to cluster non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 individuals. Multivariable regression showed that expression significantly increased for each unit of viral load increment. Altogether, these findings support differences in , , , and expression between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients and point out to as a critical responder in SARS-CoV-2 infection.