SNP-mediated disruption of CTCF binding at the IFITM3 promoter is associated with risk of severe influenza in humans

IFITM3 encodes an antiviral protein that blocks entry of influenza A virus into cells. Paul Thomas and colleagues report that SNP rs34481144 in the 5′ UTR of IFITM3 is an expression quantitative trait locus for this gene and that the risk allele is associated with lower IFITM3 expression and severe influenza disease.