Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with COVID-19 complications, including respiratory failure and death. Now, researchers have assessed whether AMD and COVID-19 have common genetic risk factors. They analyzed data on AMD cases from the International AMD Genomics Consortium and COVID-19 cases from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative website to identify genetic factors that are responsible for these two diseases. A significant genome-wide association was found in the platelet-derived growth factor subunit B gene (PDGFB) of both AMD and COVID-19 cases.
PDGFB expression was higher in AMD cases as well as in the peak COVID-19 symptom stage. Mendelian randomization showed that a genetic predisposition for complement system dysfunction is likely responsible for AMD and is also related to the increased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. Serum PDGF-BB…
