AICDA Gene

Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AICDA) is a gene involved in antibody diversification that has been studied in relation to immune function, metabolism, and chronic illness. Variants in AICDA may influence how the body responds to infection, inflammation, and long-term recovery.

This page is for educational and informational purposes only. Not a diagnostic tool. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

What is the AICDA gene?

AICDA encodes activation induced cytidine deaminase, a protein involved in antibody diversification. It belongs to the Adaptive Immunity category and is part of the Adaptive Immunity biological cluster. AID (AICDA) catalyzes cytosine deamination in immunoglobulin gene variable regions to initiate somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination, diversifying antibody responses and enabling isotype switching.

Biological role and pathway

AICDA is involved in the antibody diversification pathway, which plays a central role in regulating physiological processes relevant to immune defence, cellular energy, and systemic homeostasis. Genes within the Adaptive Immunity cluster work together to maintain balanced function across interconnected biological systems.

Variants in genes within this pathway may influence an individual's predisposition to altered function in these systems — particularly under conditions of physiological stress such as viral infection or prolonged illness.

AICDA and Long COVID / ME-CFS research

Aberrant AID activity can drive off-target mutations leading to autoantibody production and B cell lymphoma. In the hyperactivated B cell responses of COVID-19, elevated AID may contribute to the autoantibody repertoire seen in Long COVID.

This information is based on published research and does not constitute medical advice. See references below.

Known genetic variants

The following variants (SNPs) in the AICDA gene have been studied in relation to adaptive immunity and chronic illness. Each variant represents a single nucleotide position where individuals may carry different alleles.

Conditions studied in relation to AICDA

Research into AICDA variants has explored associations with the following conditions. These are areas of scientific investigation and do not imply that AICDA causes or treats any condition.

Genetic insights from DNA data

Consumer DNA files from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritage contain raw SNP data. When you upload your file to ChronicDNA, the analysis engine checks your genotype against a curated panel of 80+ genes selected for their relevance to Long COVID, ME/CFS, and connected biological pathways - some of which may include AICDA and related genes in the adaptive immunity pathway.

The report is educational - it explains which variants you carry, what the research says about them, and how they fit into the biological pathways most relevant to chronic illness. Results are presented in plain English with appropriate scientific context, no medical jargon, no scare tactics. All results should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.

Related genes in the Adaptive Immunity pathway

AICDA does not act in isolation. The following genes are functionally related and may be analysed together for a more complete picture of your genetic predispositions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the AICDA gene and what does it do?

AICDA (Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase) is involved in antibody diversification. AID (AICDA) catalyzes cytosine deamination in immunoglobulin gene variable regions to initiate somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination, diversifying antibody responses and enabling isotype switching.

How may AICDA gene variants relate to Long COVID or ME/CFS?

Aberrant AID activity can drive off-target mutations leading to autoantibody production and B cell lymphoma. In the hyperactivated B cell responses of COVID-19, elevated AID may contribute to the autoantibody repertoire seen in Long COVID.

Can a DNA test reveal information about my AICDA gene?

Consumer DNA data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritage includes SNP variants for many genes. ChronicDNA analyses your raw DNA file and reports on variants that have been studied in relation to chronic illness, immune function, and metabolism. This is not a diagnostic service — results are informational and educational only.

Explore your AICDA genetic insights

Upload your DNA data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or MyHeritage and receive a personalised report covering >80 genes relevant to Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Get Your Personalised DNA Report

Informational and educational only · Not a diagnostic tool · GDPR compliant

References

The following publications were used in compiling the research context for AICDA. This is not an exhaustive literature review.

  • [1]PMID: 26854024
  • [2]Nature Immunology
  • [3]Immunity