Exploring AyuGenomics Approach for Understanding COVID-19 Predisposition and Progression

Recent reports on COVID-19 suggest that, the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and its progression have a genetic predisposition. Majorly associated genetic variants are found in human leukocyte antigen (HLA), angiotensin convertase enzyme (ACE; rs1799752: ACE2; rs73635825), and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS-2; rs12329760) genes. Identifying highly prone population having these variants is imperative for determining COVID-19 therapeutic strategies. Ayurveda (Indian traditional system of medicine) concept of Prakriti holds potential to predict genomic and phenotypic variations. Reported work on Prakriti correlates HLA-DR alleles with three broad phenotypes (Tridosha) described in Ayurveda (AyuGenomics). This is suggestive of differences in immune responses in individuals with specific constitutions. Therefore, the reported studies provide clues for clinically relevant hypotheses to be tested in systematic studies. The proposed approach of Ayurveda-based phenotype screening may offer a way ahead to design customized strategies for management of COVID-19 based on differences in Prakriti, immune response, and drug response. However, this needs clinical evaluation of the relation between Prakriti and genetic or phenotypic variants in COVID-19 prone and resistant populations.