Genetic correlates influencing immunopathogenesis of HIV infection

Abstract

Variability to HIV infection, its progression as well as responsiveness to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is observed among individuals including viraemia controllers or exposed uninfected, rapid versus slow progressors and ART responders compared to non responders. This differential responsiveness/vulnerability to HIV-1 is governed by multiple host genetic factors that include HLA, cytokines, chemokines, their receptors and others. This review highlights the influence of these genetic factors on HIV/AIDS outcome; however, in India, the information in this area is very limited and most of these genetic studies have been conducted in Caucasian and South African populations. Considering, the population specific differences in the frequencies of protective or susceptibility favouring alleles and their influence on the disease outcome, it is of utmost importance to strengthen ongoing efforts towards defining largely unknown genetic propensity in Indian population, particularly by recruitment of large cohorts of well categorized exposed uninfected individuals, rapid, long term non progressors and elite viraemic controllers. Multi-parametric analysis of these potentially interactive immunogenetic variables in these cohorts may help to define potential targets for diagnostics and therapy in a population specific manner.

Genetic factors associated with slow progression of HIV among perinatally-infected Indian children

“…Two HLA-class I alleles, HLA-B*27 and HLA-B*57 have been associated with slower HIV-1 disease progression in adults [4]. Most studies assessing the role of host genetic factors in LTNPs have been carried out on Caucasian or African populations; studies in India are limited [5–7].…”

Co-Infection of ART-treated SIVmac239+ Rhesus Macaques with Plasmodium fragile Results in Elevated Inflammation which Associates with Neutrophil Function

“…Of note, one RM (JF97) had persistently high VLs despite ART, as well as higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Previous work has shown associations between host genetics, including expression of particular MHC alleles, and high VLs and rapid disease progression in both humans [103] and macaques [104,105]. Recent work suggests an association between Mamu-B*012 and high VLs in RM, but only with specific KIR alleles [104].…”

Molecular Antiretroviral Resistance Markers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 of CRF01_AE Subtype in Bali, Indonesia

“…Host factors have been indicated to contribute to HIV-1 replication [40-42]. The influence of host factors in susceptibility to HIV infection and AIDS progression, but not in HIV mutation pattern, has been described elsewhere [43-46].…”