Protein linked to reduced severity of covid-19

News Desk

Islamabad: A naturally occurring protein in the human body may hold clues to developing future treatments against severe Covid-19, according to a new study that links higher levels of OAS1 protein with better outcomes among infected patients.

Researchers found that people with increased OAS1 levels had a lower risk of dying from Covid-19, requiring mechanical ventilation, or developing severe forms of the disease. The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, suggest that therapies designed to increase OAS1 activity could potentially be explored as a treatment approach.

Brent Richards, a researcher from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, said the study provides evidence that OAS1 may play a protective role against both Covid-19 infection and disease severity. He noted that some therapies aimed at boosting OAS1 are already under early development and could be investigated for their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2.

To identify proteins that may influence Covid-19 outcomes, researchers analysed hundreds of proteins found in blood samples. They used advanced genetic methods, including Mendelian randomisation, to determine whether certain proteins were contributing to disease progression rather than simply changing because of infection.

The team examined genetic information related to 931 circulating proteins and found that higher OAS1 levels were associated with reduced risks of Covid-19 death, hospitalisation, severe disease requiring ventilation, and infection susceptibility.

The findings were further supported by analysis of 504 Covid-19 patients with varying disease outcomes. Researchers observed that individuals with higher OAS1 levels after infection were less likely to experience severe complications.

Scientists said the discovery could open a new pathway for developing Covid-19 therapies by targeting the body’s own immune defence mechanisms. However, further clinical research will be required before OAS1-based treatments can be considered for widespread use.

The study adds to ongoing efforts to understand why some people develop severe Covid-19 while others experience mild symptoms, potentially helping researchers design more targeted treatments in the future.