In COVID-19, NLRP3 inflammasome genetic variants are associated with critical disease and these effects are partly mediated by the sickness symptom complex: a nomothetic network approach

Background In COVID-19, the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute infections are accompanied by a sickness symptom complex (SSC) which is a highly conserved symptom complex that protects against infections and hyperinflammation. Aims: To examine the associations of COVID-19, SSC and the NLPR3 rs10157379 T>C and NLPR3 rs10754558 C>G SNV variants; and the protective role of SSC in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 infection. Methods We recruited COVID-19 patients, 308 with critical, 63 with moderate and 157 with mild disease. Results Increased SSC protects against SARS, critical disease, and death due to COVID-19. Increasing age, male sex and rs10754558 CG significantly predict reduced SSC protection. The rs10157379 CT and rs10754558 GG genotypes are positively associated with SARS. Partial Least Squares analysis shows a) that 41.8% of the variance in critical COVID-19 symptoms could be explained by SSC and oxygen saturation (inversely associated), and inflammation, chest computed tomography abnormalities, increased body mass index, SARS and age (positively associated); and b) the effects of the NLRP3 rs10157379 and rs10754558 variants on critical COVID-19 are mediated via SSC (protective) and SARS (detrimental). SSC includes anosmia, dysgeusia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions Intersections among the rs10754558 variant , age, and sex increase risk towards critical COVID-19 by attenuating SSC. NLRP3 variants play an important role in SARS, and severe and critical COVID-19 especially in individuals with reduced SSC, elderly people, and those with increased BMI, hypertension, and diabetes type 2. SSC is a new drug target to combat acute COVID-19.