Analysis of the Interferon Lambda 3 and 4 Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Vaccine Response Against COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing how various COVID-19 vaccines work against SARS-CoV-2 in different individuals is pivotal to planning better management and coping with the pandemic. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the contributing factors to the immune response. This study investigated interferon lambda 3 and 4 (IFNL3/4) gene polymorphism and their association with an individual's immune response after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Materials and Methods: An exploratory laboratory study to identify SNPs rs1297860 and rs368234815 in IFNL3/4 genes in Indonesian who have received two shots of CoronaVac and further evaluate its association with the COVID-19 vaccine response. The immune response was reflected from the serum titres of SARS-CoV-2 IgG (anti-spike IgG level), quantified using the SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay, where the IFNL3/IFNL4 SNPs identified using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: From March to August 2021, this study recruited 46 eligible and healthy persons. None of the subjects in this study have the assumed associated genotypes (TT in IFNL3 or DG/DG in IFNL4). There was also no significant difference in the Mean Fold Rise of anti-spike IgG level between individuals with IFNL3 rs12979860 C/T polymorphism (CT genotype) and those with the homozygous common (wild-type) genotype (TT genotype) (U = 358; P > 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of IFNL3/4 polymorphisms in this study population was low. Furthermore, the IFNL3/4 polymorphisms do not affect immune response (anti-spike IgG level) in individuals receiving two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in this study.