156 | id == 156
156 | category_id == 17
156 | category_order == 14
156 | category_name == Respiratory Health
156 | category_color == #C47AC0
156 | slug == FCGR2A-cytokine-storm
156 | title == Can This Gene Protect Against A Cytokine Storm? (FCGR2A)
156 | meta_description == A variant in FCGR2A may increase susceptibility to cytokine storms. Read on to learn more.
156 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Can genetics make you more susceptible to a cytokine storm? Do people respond to infections differently based on their genetics? Studies of FCGR2A suggest that may be the case. Read on to learn more.</strong></p>
156 | overall_score_text == Cytokine Storm Susceptibility Score (based on FCGR2A)
156 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/FCGR2A--Viral-Pneumonia.jpg
156 | author_id == 10
156 | author_name == Biljana Novkovic
156 | author_title == PhD
156 | author_order == 50
156 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Biljana.jpg
156 | author_intro == <p><strong>Biljana received her PhD in Ecological Genetics from Hokkaido University.</strong></p>    <p>Before joining SelfHacked, she was a research scientist with extensive field and laboratory experience. She spent 4 years reviewing the scientific literature on supplements, lab tests and other areas of health sciences. She is passionate about releasing the most accurate science &amp; health information available on topics, and she&#39;s meticulous when writing and reviewing articles to make sure the science is sound. She believes that SelfHacked has the best science that is also layperson-friendly on the web.</p>
156 | reviewer == None
156 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
156 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
156 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
156 | publish_date == 2020
156 | publish_date == 4
156 | publish_date == 17
156 | avg_rating == 5.0
156 | tags_id == 347
156 | tags_name == Cytokine Storm
156 | tags_id == 383
156 | tags_name == FCGR2A
156 | tags_id == 336
156 | tags_name == Respiratory Infection
156 | permissions_favorite == False
156 | permissions_rate == False
156 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. If you suspect you may have any kind of infection, seek medical help immediately. </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep in mind that these results are based on association studies, which are correlative and aren&rsquo;t necessarily causative. In addition, any one genetic variant will typically contribute only a small proportion to the overall risk of the condition, and non genetic factors play a large role in developing a condition as well. Therefore, just because you have one of these genotypes does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing this condition!</span></em></p> <table style="width: 90%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" border="1" cellpadding="10"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>Note:</strong>&nbsp;The&nbsp;<em>FCGR2A</em> gene is mentioned in SelfDecode&rsquo;s <a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/gene-reports/inflammation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>Inflammation DNA Wellness Report</em></strong></a>, along with many other important genes. If you're looking for a comprehensive, personalized resource that can help you combat inflammation, check it out!</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>What is <em>FCGR2A</em>?</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a gene that encodes a protein on the surface of immune cells, called Fc-gamma receptor. Fc-gamma receptor binds antibodies (IgG) that are attached to microbes or infected cells and signals the immune system to destroy and remove them [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30949161"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8195706/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/2/140/htm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fc-gamma receptors have a wide variety of roles, and control various immune processes such as [</span><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/2/140/htm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Immune-cell production</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cytokine production</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phagocytosis by macrophages, which are a type of white blood cells. Phagocytosis is when immune cells engulf and "digest" microbes and infected cell debris.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Degranulation of mast cells. Mast cells are rich in granules containing histamine which trigger inflammation.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fc-gamma receptors get activated only when they bind multiple antibodies simultaneously -- a single IgG does not activate them. This ensures that the immune system is triggered only when antibodies bind to bacteria or infected cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes a protein found on the surface of immune cells. This protein binds to antibodies attached to microbes and infected cells and signals the immune system to destroy them.</span></span></p> <h2><strong><em>FCGR2A</em> and Cytokine Storm</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to respiratory infections, some people are barely affected, while others can develop serious symptoms and complications, such as a cytokine storm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A cytokine storm is a dangerous inflammatory state that happens when the immune system overreacts to infection. During a cytokine storm, inflammatory signals go haywire, and the immune system ends up doing more damage than the infection itself [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists discovered that Fc-gamma receptors are responsible for triggering cytokine release and may exacerbate cytokine storms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4673539/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, a study of 271 people found that those who had the 'AA' genotype for rs1801274, a SNP in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene, had a heightened release of an inflammatory cytokine IFN-&gamma; in response to antibodies (IgG) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6417454/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, in another study, people with the 'AA' genotype had a higher production of another inflammatory cytokine, IL-1beta, compared to people with the 'AG' and 'GG' genotypes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17845308"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A variant in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene has been associated with a heightened release of inflammatory cytokines.</span></span></p> <h2><strong><em>FCGR2A</em> and Infection Severity</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists looked if the rs1801274 variant had an impact on infection severity, but the results are conflicting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Mexican study of 91 people looked into the link between influenza A (H1N1) severity and the rs1801274 SNP. They found that the 'A' allele was more common in those who developed severe pneumonia, compared to those who didn't have serious symptoms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, two other studies failed to find any association between this SNP and disease severity in 436 Brazillian and 110 Greek people with influenza [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4897956/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102177/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, a couple of studies, one of 97 Cuban and another of 700 Vietnamese people, suggest that people who carry the 'A' variant may develop more severe symptoms when infected with dengue [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12363051/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877427/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, another study of 473 Mexicans found no association between this SNP and dengue severity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29130827"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some studies suggest there may be a link between a variant in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene and the severity of infections such as influenza and dengue. However, other studies have found no association.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Potential Mechanisms</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers have discovered that the 'A' allele of rs1801724 results in stronger binding to some types of antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2), compared to the 'G' allele. In other words,&nbsp; the 'A' allele is responsible for a stronger immune response [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6417454/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102177/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, white blood cells from people who have the 'AA' genotype respond more aggressively (increased phagocytosis and degranulation) to microbes compared to white blood cells from those who have the 'GG' genotype [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1415059/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17877745"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interestingly, scientists found that people who have the 'G' variant may be at a higher risk of:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lupus [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27538381"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11237133"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">] </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sepsis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26490967"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Manifesting malaria [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18194515"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with the 'A' variant, on the other hand, may have a higher risk of inflammatory diseases, such as:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30260678"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27270653/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rheumatoid arthritis (in Europeans but not East Asians) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26314337"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kawasaki disease [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28886140"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27270653"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29098351"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Childhood vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the first case, scientists think that the lower immune activity associated with the&nbsp; 'G' variant means that the immune system may be less effective at removing circulating debris (immune complexes) from the blood, which is a hallmark of diseases such as lupus [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the second case, a more active immune response, conferred by the 'A' variant, may lead to excessive inflammation, seen in inflammatory diseases such as IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, and Kawasaki disease [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research suggests that the 'A' allele of the rs1801724 </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene variant is responsible for a stronger, more aggressive immune response to microbes.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Your <em>FCGR2A</em> Results for Cytokine Storm</strong></h2> <p><strong>*4345498787462513*</strong></p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary and Table</strong></h3> <p><strong><em>FCGR2A</em></strong><strong> rs1801274</strong></p> <ul> <li>'A' = major allele, associated with a stronger immune response, higher cytokine production, and possibly more severe reaction to viral infections</li> <li>'G' = minor allele, associated with a weaker immune response and lower cytokine production</li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 32% of people have the 'AA' genotype. The 'A' allele is more common in East Asians, where about 50% of people have the 'AA' genotype.</span></p> <p><strong>*3205342795200203*</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations For Lung Health</strong></h2> <p><strong>*7546491986092841*</strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <h3><strong>Echinacea</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cell studies show that white blood cells (dendritic cells) may have decreased </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FCGR2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels when exposed to </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Echinacea </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">extract [</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0888754306002461"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. However, this hasn't been tested in humans or animals.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Echinacea is often used to prevent and improve the common cold. Although the results of clinical trials are mixed, studies do suggest that echinacea may be effective at reducing common cold symptoms and their duration [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16678640"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457740/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another meta-analysis found that echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and their complications, possibly through a combination of immuno-modulatory, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25784510"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studies suggest that echinacea extract (Echinaforce) may help reverse the increased production of IL-6, IL-8, and different inflammatory cytokines caused by viral infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19409931"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cell studies suggest that Ehinacea may help decrease <em>FCGR2</em> levels and inflammatory cytokine production in response to viral infections. However, this hasn't been testes directly in humans or animals.</span></p>
156 | content_snp_table_4345498787462513_key == 4345498787462513
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156 | content_snp_table_4345498787462513_hidden == False
156 | content_learn_more_3205342795200203_key == 3205342795200203
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156 | content_learn_more_3205342795200203_hidden == False
156 | content_learn_more_3205342795200203_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your FCGR2A gene is associated with an intermediate risk of cytokine storms. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of cytokine storms, just one of many genes that may contribute to the risk. Echinacea extract may help.
156 | content_recommendation_7546491986092841_key == 7546491986092841
156 | content_recommendation_7546491986092841_blur == True
156 | content_recommendation_7546491986092841_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs1801724,rs1801274
rsStatus = rs1801274,FCGR2A,chr1,161509955,A,C,G,,22,0,Normal
