"Japanese 'Unique Constitution' the Cause of Sharp COVID Decline?"... Japan Proposes New Hypothesis

"HLA-A24 Leukocyte Type... Possessed by 60% of Japanese"

A street in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The recent sharp decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases, severe cases, and deaths in Japan compared to other countries has been attributed to a unique physiological factor among Japanese people.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 10th, the Japanese Ri Chemical Research Institute revealed that the white blood cell type 'HLA-A24 (hereafter A24),' possessed by about 60% of Japanese people, can prevent the worsening of COVID-19. The institute published the research results in the British scientific journal Communications Myology.

The researchers stated, "People with the A24 type, which has immune cells against the common cold, produce a peptide called 'QYI' when their cells are infected with COVID-19. This peptide promotes the proliferation of 'killer T cells,' which destroy infected cells and prevent severe illness."

About 60% of Japanese people have the A24 white blood cell type, whereas in the United States and Europe, it is about 1-20%.

The researchers analyzed, "People who have had seasonal colds in the past may experience a rapid increase in dormant killer T cells in their bodies when infected with COVID-19, potentially suppressing infected cells."

The Yomiuri Shimbun suggested that "Japan has fewer COVID-19 infections and deaths compared to overseas, leading to claims of a unique Japanese factor called 'Factor X.' The recent findings from the Ri Chemical Research Institute lend support to these claims."

Meanwhile, Dr. Shinichiro Fuji, who led the research, explained, "People with the A24 type who possess immune cells against seasonal coronaviruses, which cause colds, have these cells attack cells infected with COVID-19."

He also expressed hope that "A24 could be considered a candidate for Factor X, potentially leading to the development of treatments," expecting the research results to have a significant impact on COVID-19 therapeutic development.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.