Sex and Age Differences in Telomere Length and Susceptibility to COVID-19

Background: Telomeres are the ends of a chromosome and play a fundamental role as
vanguards contra the chromosomal decay. Due to the inability of DNA polymerase to replicate
chromosomal ends, a reduction in telomeres length happens after each cell division. The existence
of shorter telomeres in older people is related to diminish immune functions. Viral infections able
to stimulate remodeling of cells, stress responses, and telomere shortening. Moreover, telomere
shortening can be caused by extrinsic environmental variables which induce oxidative stress under
conditions of infl ammation.
Aim: To identify the correlation between telomere shortening and susceptibility to Novel
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition to clarifying changes in telomere length according
to the viral infection, the effect of sex and age differences in telomere length in confi rmed positive
COVID-19 cases are also reviewed.
Conclusion: There is a correlation between telomere length and COVID-19 infection with higher
susceptibly of elderly patients and males due to shortening in their telomere length. Approximately
53% of (111,428) infected cases (≥ 50) years old are males, and 47% of (111,428) infected cases (≥
50) years old are females.