Muhammad Amirun Noh, Lee-Boey Jian Wen, Lim Quan Hziung, Lim Lee Ling, Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, Lee Chin Mei, and Ahmad Mahfuz Gazali

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INVESTIGATING FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE IMMUNOGLOBULIN G (IgG) TOWARDS ENTEROVIRUS: A PILOT STUDY

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Abstract 

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Enteroviruses, particularly Coxsackievirus B (CVB), have been implicated as potential environmental triggers or contributors to the pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Their interaction with host antiviral immunity and genetic susceptibility, particularly IFIH1 variants may influence enterovirus-specific immune responses and potentially contribute to the development or progression of T1DM. This pilot study investigated factors influencing enterovirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses. Peripheral blood samples were collected from nine T1DM patients and nine healthy controls. Enteroviral RNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the conserved 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) and the viral protein 1 (VP1) region. Serum IgG responses against CVB and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IFIH1 rs1990760 genotypes were determined using Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Associations between demographic, clinical, and genetic variables and enterovirus-specific IgG levels were analyzed using univariate and multiple linear regression models. Enteroviral RNA was not detected in any participant. Univariate analysis showed no significant differences in anti-CVB or anti-EV71 IgG levels according to diabetes status, age, sex, ethnicity, or IFIH1 rs1990760 genotype. However, multiple linear regression identified IFIH rs1990760 genotype as a significant predictor of enterovirus-specific antibody responses. The AA genotype was associated with higher anti-CVB IgG levels, whereas the GA genotype was associated with higher anti-EV71 IgG levels. The IFIH1 rs1990760 polymorphism may influence humoral responses to enteroviruses, highlighting a potential role of host genetics in antiviral immunity relevant to T1DM susceptibility.         

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