NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Polymorphisms in HLA-G appear to affect the risk of heterosexual HIV infection in women in Zimbabwe, according to a recent report by Canadian researchers.
HLA-G molecules are thought to play an important role in inhibiting cell-mediated immune responses. Therefore, HLA-G variants could influence the propagation of HIV infection in the female reproductive tract.
To investigate, Dr. Michel Roger, from Hopital Notre-Dame du CHUM from Montreal, and colleagues analyzed DNA samples from 228 HIV-positive and 203 HIV-negative women from Zimbabwe. The results are published in the February 20th issue of AIDS.
A total of six HLA-G alleles were identified in the study group, but only two were significantly associated with HIV infection risk, the researchers note. The 0105N allele was tied to a 49% reduced risk of infection, whereas the 010108 allele raised the risk of infection 2.5-fold.
The authors also identified two 010108-containing genotypes that greatly increased the risk of infection. The 010108/010401 and 010101/010108 genotypes raised the risk of HIV infection by 23.6-fold and 5.6-fold, respectively.
“Our results show that HLA-G polymorphisms are associated with heterosexual HIV-1 infection,” the investigators state. “Importantly, our findings not only provide convincing support for a plausible mechanism by which HLA-G might help HIV-1 to evade cell-mediated immune response but also may be utilized in designing novel preventive interventions.”
Source: AIDS 2004;18:427-431. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Genes, MHC Class II: Specialty Chemicals and Products: Molecular Probes: Nucleic Acid Probes: DNA Probes: DNA Probes, HLA: Laboratory Chemicals: Chemical Actions and Uses: Uses of Chemicals and Drugs: Chemicals and DrugsCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.