How the APOE Gene Affects the Immune System

The International Journal of Medicine published a commentary in late April 2020 titled, “Does apolipoprotein E genotype predict COVID-19 severity?” The researchers argue that it is possible that having one or two copies of APOE-E4 allele predisposes one to be at high risk of progressing to severe illness from COVID-19. The risk is hypothesized due to a more robust innate immune response, followed by a cytokine storm, resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).