Do Genes Affect How We Respond to Winter Diseases?

Genes are one of the main factors influencing human health, especially when it comes to winter illnesses. During the winter season, the prevalence of various diseases, such as colds and the flu, increases, and genes may play a significant role in how the body responds to these illnesses.

Research indicates that some individuals have specific genes that make them more susceptible to winter diseases or increase the severity of their symptoms. Genes influence the strength of the immune system and its ability to fight viruses. Therefore, understanding the relationship between genes and winter diseases can help us develop effective preventive strategies.

It is important to recognize that genetic factors are not the only ones affecting our health during the winter. However, understanding how genes influence the immune system's response to common winter illnesses and other diseases will raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to strengthen our immune system and face the health challenges associated with winter.

The Impact of Genes on Susceptibility to Winter Diseases

Winter is known for a variety of diseases, ranging from common colds to the flu. Genes can affect how our bodies respond to these viruses. Genes serve as a blueprint for the immune system, which is the first line of defense against these diseases. Genes carry the instructions that guide the body on how to handle viruses and bacteria, making some individuals more prone to winter diseases than others.

There are two types of immunity:

• Innate Immunity: The natural immunity a person is born with.
• Acquired Immunity: Builds over time through exposure to diseases or vaccinations.

Genes play a role in the efficiency of both types of immunity, as changes in certain genes can affect the speed or strength of the immune system’s response. For example:

• TLR Receptors: Responsible for regulating the immune system’s response to pathogens by distinguishing between harmful and beneficial viruses and bacteria.
• HLA Gene: Related to the body’s ability to recognize pathogens and resist proteins released by foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses, such as Influenza A virus.
• IFNL3 Gene: This gene is associated with the body’s response to viral infections.

Common Winter Diseases Linked to Genes

1. Seasonal Influenza

Changes in the IFITM3 and IL-6 genes may increase the body’s response to the influenza-causing viruses, thus increasing the likelihood of infections such as sinusitis and sore throat.

2. Pneumonia

The MMP9 gene plays a critical role in regulating the immune system’s response to inflammation and its role in repairing body tissues after inflammation. Changes in this gene may increase the risk of acute pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, and gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease.

3. Acute Respiratory Infections

Changes in the NOD2 and TLR4 genes may affect the immune system’s ability to recognize bacterial infection causes and resist inflammation, such as chronic bacterial pneumonia.

4. Allergic Asthma

The ORMDL3 and IL-13 genes play a key role in regulating the immune system’s response to control inflammation. Changes in these genes may increase hypersensitivity in the airways.

5. Bacterial Sore Throat

The CRP (C-reactive protein) and TNF-α genes are responsible for regulating the immune system’s response to various inflammations, such as bacterial sore throat. For instance, when infected with a bacterial throat infection caused by Group A Streptococcus, CRP levels rise significantly in the blood to recognize the affected tissues and activate the immune response to kill the bacteria. Changes in these genes can disrupt the balance of these gene secretions, either increasing or decreasing them, leading to a weakened immune response in combating infection and inflammation.

Genetic Testing and Winter Diseases

Genetic testing plays a significant role in:

1. Early Diagnosis

Genetic testing helps identify genetic causes of immune-related diseases early, such as asthma, allergies, and acquired immunodeficiencies, through genetic screening for immune disorders, targeted gene panel tests, whole genome sequencing, and exome sequencing. This allows for early and accurate diagnosis of challenging conditions and provides the necessary care and appropriate treatment.

2. Planning for a Healthy Family

Genetic testing helps couples discover genetic changes that may cause hereditary immune disorders in their future children, such as asthma or DiGeorge syndrome, which weakens the immune system, leading to frequent infections. This allows for appropriate recommendations and available options for conception.

3. Choosing the Right Treatment (Personalized Medicine)

Genetic testing helps uncover the patient’s genetic makeup and any changes that may cause disease, which can affect how they respond to treatments. This helps doctors determine the best treatment options and reduce unwanted side effects, increasing the chances of recovery. For example, identifying vitamin D absorption changes in the VDR gene helps determine the appropriate doses to enhance immune response or selecting the right vaccines based on an individual’s genetic composition, like the flu vaccine.

4. Developing New Treatments

Genetic testing can identify more genes whose changes lead to immune system disorders, providing a broader understanding of how these changes contribute to hereditary immune diseases. This leads to the development of more effective treatment options, such as gene therapy to modify genes responsible for the immune system to reduce inflammation and enhance immune response, or developing treatments to inhibit IL-13 gene activity to reduce inflammation caused by allergic asthma.

5. Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling helps guide appropriate actions and recommend comprehensive genetic testing based on the provided information about your and your family’s health. Genetic counselors also assess the likelihood of the disease recurring in the family based on the degree of kinship. The role of the genetic counselor extends beyond pre-test counseling; they assist in understanding test results, offering recommendations, and providing psychological support.

Enigma Genetics offers comprehensive genetic testing for hereditary diseases, such as premarital and pre-pregnancy screening that covers over 550 genetic disorders, Whole Genome Sequencing covering more than 7,500 genetic diseases, Whole Exome Sequencing covering 7,000 genetic diseases, as well as targeted genetic testing for immune-related diseases, to support you in maintaining your health and that of your family.