Abstract
Background/Objectives: Bitter Taste Receptors (encoded by TAS2R genes) are expressed in mucosal and bronchial epithelia, as well as in immune cells, contributing to defense against airborne pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Data on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TAS2R genes or pseudogenes in COVID-19 are limited. This study examined the association between TAS2R SNPs and COVID-19 infection and seroconversion in European individuals participating in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Methods: Data from the Genome-wide Genetic Data, Comprehensive Baseline (version 7.0), Follow-up 2 (version 1.1), COVID-19 Questionnaire Study (4-2020 to 12-2020), and COVID-19 Seroprevalence (Antibody) Study (11-2020 to 7-2021) datasets were accessed. Associations of TAS2R SNPS with COVID-19 infection or seroconversion were determined using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographics, genetic principal components, smoking, vaccine doses, and chronic medical conditions (diabetes, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease). Results: In the COVID-19 Questionnaire Study (N = 14,073), the rs117458236 (C) variant in TAS2R20 showed a trend toward an association with COVID-19 infection (OR = 1.95; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.98, 3.51). In the COVID-19 Antibody Study (N = 8313), the rs2234235(G) variant in TAS2R1 was associated with anti-nucleocapsid (OR = 1.55; CI: 1.06, 2.20) and anti-spike response (OR = 0.74; CI: 0.57, 0.98); the rs2234010(A) variant in TAS2R5 was associated with anti-nucleocapsid (OR = 1.56; CI: 1.08, 2.19); and the rs34039200(A) variant in TAS2R62P was associated with anti-spike (OR = 0.86; CI: 0.77, 0.97). In a subgroup analysis, the rs2234235(G) variant in TAS2R1 was associated with a decreased anti-spike response to infection or vaccination in individuals with IMIDs or respiratory disease and an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: TAS2R variants are associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccine response. These data may inform personalized management and vaccination strategies.
Citation
Shafizadeh M, Bhatia V, Ahmed S, Drögemöller B, Stavropoulou C, St. John P, Bhullar R, Chelikani P, Hitchon C, “Genetic Variations in Bitter Taste Receptors and COVID-19 in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging,” Biomedicines 13, 10(2025) :2473, doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13102473