Extremes of age are associated with differences in the expression of selected pattern recognition receptor genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2: implications for the epidemiology of COVID-19 disease

Background Older aged adults and those with pre-existing conditions are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 associated outcomes. Methods Using a large dataset of genome-wide RNA-seq profiles derived from human dermal fibroblasts (GSE113957) we investigated whether age affects the expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Results Extremes of age are associated with increased expression of selected PRR genes, ACE2 and four genes that encode proteins that have been shown to interact with SAR2-CoV-2 proteins. Conclusions Assessment of PRR expression might provide a strategy for stratifying the risk of severe COVID-19 disease at both the individual and population levels.

Automated summary

By analyzing genome-wide RNA-seq profiles from human dermal fibroblasts, it was found that extremes of age are associated with increased expression of certain genes that may interact with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Therefore, assessing the expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) could provide a strategy for stratifying the risk of severe COVID-19 at both individual and population levels.