AI Platform Identifies 68 Genes Associated with High Risk of Severe COVID-19
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 02 Jul 2020 |
|
Image: Disease architecture of the severe COVID-19 patient population generated by the PrecisionLife platform. Each circle represents a disease-associated SNP genotype, edges represent co-association in patients, and colours represent distinct patient sub-populations (Photo courtesy of PrecisionLife Ltd.)
An artificial intelligence (AI) platform has found 68 genes associated with risk of developing severe COVID-19 after analysis of the genomes of 929 patients who had a severe response to SARS-CoV-2.
The unique AI platform developed by PrecisionLife Ltd. (Oxfordshire, UK) could help identify patients who are at greatest risk of developing the most severe forms of COVID-19, prior to an effective and widely available vaccine. Established Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) approaches have been limited by the heterogenous nature of COVID-19, making it difficult to clearly explain the wide range of symptoms and impacts of predisposing comorbidities associated with the disease. PrecisionLife has overcome this barrier by evaluating combinations of genetic features, which is not possible with existing GWAS approaches.
Using a combinatorial (high-order epistasis) analysis approach, PrecisionLife identified 68 protein-coding genes that were highly associated with severe COVID-19, nine of which have been previously linked to differential response to SARS-CoV-2. These 68 genes include several druggable protein targets and pathways, nine of which are targeted by drugs that have reached at least Phase I clinical trials.
“This is our second study specifically looking at host genomics to identify those most at risk and find opportunities to treat patients with later stage severe disease where host immune processes begin to run out of control” said Dr Steve Gardner, CEO of PrecisionLife. “We know that systemic remodelling, leaky vasculature and micro-clotting can cause severe issues in COVID-19 patients in lungs as well as other organs. We are encouraged that several of the genes identified relate to lipid programming, beta-catenin and protein kinase C signalling whose processes converge in a central pathway involved in plasma membrane repair, clotting and wound healing. This pathway is largely driven by calcium ion activation, which is a known serum biomarker associated with severe COVID-19 and ARDS. We intend to perform further analyses to investigate this hypothesis. We are also seeking to further validate 12 genes associated with dysfunctional immune response that are the first hint at a potential genetic signature for enhanced risk of flipping into a severe disease state.”
Related Links:
PrecisionLife Ltd.
The unique AI platform developed by PrecisionLife Ltd. (Oxfordshire, UK) could help identify patients who are at greatest risk of developing the most severe forms of COVID-19, prior to an effective and widely available vaccine. Established Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) approaches have been limited by the heterogenous nature of COVID-19, making it difficult to clearly explain the wide range of symptoms and impacts of predisposing comorbidities associated with the disease. PrecisionLife has overcome this barrier by evaluating combinations of genetic features, which is not possible with existing GWAS approaches.
Using a combinatorial (high-order epistasis) analysis approach, PrecisionLife identified 68 protein-coding genes that were highly associated with severe COVID-19, nine of which have been previously linked to differential response to SARS-CoV-2. These 68 genes include several druggable protein targets and pathways, nine of which are targeted by drugs that have reached at least Phase I clinical trials.
“This is our second study specifically looking at host genomics to identify those most at risk and find opportunities to treat patients with later stage severe disease where host immune processes begin to run out of control” said Dr Steve Gardner, CEO of PrecisionLife. “We know that systemic remodelling, leaky vasculature and micro-clotting can cause severe issues in COVID-19 patients in lungs as well as other organs. We are encouraged that several of the genes identified relate to lipid programming, beta-catenin and protein kinase C signalling whose processes converge in a central pathway involved in plasma membrane repair, clotting and wound healing. This pathway is largely driven by calcium ion activation, which is a known serum biomarker associated with severe COVID-19 and ARDS. We intend to perform further analyses to investigate this hypothesis. We are also seeking to further validate 12 genes associated with dysfunctional immune response that are the first hint at a potential genetic signature for enhanced risk of flipping into a severe disease state.”
Related Links:
PrecisionLife Ltd.
New
Gold Member
Neonatal Heel Incision Device
Tenderfoot
New
Glucose Meter
StatStrip®
New
Immobilization System
Cranial 4Pi Immobilization
Latest COVID-19 News
- Low-Cost System Detects SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Hospital Air Using High-Tech Bubbles
- World's First Inhalable COVID-19 Vaccine Approved in China
- COVID-19 Vaccine Patch Fights SARS-CoV-2 Variants Better than Needles
- Blood Viscosity Testing Can Predict Risk of Death in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
- ‘Covid Computer’ Uses AI to Detect COVID-19 from Chest CT Scans
- MRI Lung-Imaging Technique Shows Cause of Long-COVID Symptoms
- Chest CT Scans of COVID-19 Patients Could Help Distinguish Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Specialized MRI Detects Lung Abnormalities in Non-Hospitalized Long COVID Patients
- AI Algorithm Identifies Hospitalized Patients at Highest Risk of Dying From COVID-19
- Sweat Sensor Detects Key Biomarkers That Provide Early Warning of COVID-19 and Flu
- Study Assesses Impact of COVID-19 on Ventilation/Perfusion Scintigraphy
- CT Imaging Study Finds Vaccination Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Embolism
- Third Day in Hospital a ‘Tipping Point’ in Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia
- Longer Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccines Generates Up to Nine Times as Many Antibodies
- AI Model for Monitoring COVID-19 Predicts Mortality Within First 30 Days of Admission
- AI Predicts COVID Prognosis at Near-Expert Level Based Off CT Scans
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
AI Analysis of Pericardial Fat Refines Long-Term Heart Disease Risk
Accurately identifying long-term cardiovascular disease risk in asymptomatic adults remains challenging for clinicians. Missed or underestimated risk delays preventive therapy and increases the chance... Read more
Machine Learning Approach Enhances Liver Cancer Risk Stratification
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer, is often detected late despite targeted surveillance programs. Current screening guidelines emphasize patients with known cirrhosis,... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
Angiography-Based FFR Approach Matches Gold Standard Results Without Wires
Accurately determining whether a coronary stenosis limits blood flow is essential to guide percutaneous coronary intervention, yet wire-based physiologic testing remains underused due to added procedural... Read more
Eye Imaging AI Identifies Elevated Cardiovascular Risk
Many adults at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are not identified until they undergo formal primary care assessment. Delayed risk recognition can postpone initiation of statins and lifestyle... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Fiber-Form Bone Graft Expands Intraoperative Options for Spinal Fusion
Spinal and orthopedic fusion procedures often require bone graft materials that handle predictably and support bone formation. Surgeons face added complexity in difficult anatomy and challenging fusion environments.... Read more
Ultrasound‑Aided Catheter Treatment Cuts Early Collapse in Pulmonary Embolism
Acute pulmonary embolism can cause rapid hemodynamic deterioration and early death in hospitalized and emergency patients. Systemic thrombolysis can dissolve clots but is limited by a high risk of major... Read more
Patient Care
view channel
Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder that makes breathing difficult and often disturbs sleep, reducing energy for daily activities. Limited engagement in pulmonary... Read more
Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
More than 80% of in-hospital patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. Every dose of IV medicine delivered in a small volume (<250 mL) infusion bag should be followed by subsequent flushing to ensure... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Voice-Driven AI System Enables Structured GI Procedure Documentation
Documentation during gastrointestinal (GI) procedures often competes with real-time clinical decision-making and imposes a significant cognitive burden on physicians. Manual data entry and post-procedure... Read more
EMR-Based Tool Predicts Graft Failure After Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation offers patients with end-stage kidney disease longer survival and better quality of life than dialysis, yet graft failure remains a major challenge. Although a successful transplant... Read more
Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors
The future of medicine is likely to focus on the personalization of healthcare—understanding exactly what an individual requires and delivering the appropriate combination of nutrients, metabolites, and... Read more
Business
view channel
GE HealthCare Leads Major European Initiative to Advance Cardio-Oncology Care
Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized among people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, driven by pre‑existing disease and the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy,... Read more
