Associations of human leukocyte antigen-G with resistance and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the association between human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-G genotypes and resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1.

DESIGN:

A group of sex workers in Pumwani, Kenya can be epidemiologically defined as resistant to HIV-1 infection despite frequent exposure and provide an example of natural protective immunity. HLA class I and II molecules have been shown to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to infection in this cohort. HLA-G is a nonclassical class I allele that is primarily involved in mucosal and inflammatory response, which is of interest in HIV-1 resistance.

METHODS:

In this study, we used a sequence-based typing method to genotype HLA-G for 667 women enrolled in this cohort and examined the influence of HLA-G genotypes on resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.

RESULTS:

The G*01 : 01:01 genotype was significantly enriched in the HIV-1-resistant women [P = 0.002, Odds ratio: 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.259-0.976], whereas the G*01 : 04:04 genotype was significantly associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection (P = 0.039, OR:0.502, 95% CI:0.259-0.976). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis correlated with these results. G*01 : 01:01 genotype was associated with significantly lower rate of seroconversion (P = 0.001). Whereas, G*01 : 04:04 genotype was significantly associated with an increased rate of seroconversion (P = 0.013). The associations of these HLA-G alleles are independent of other HLA class I and II alleles identified in this population.

CONCLUSION:

Our study showed that specific HLA-G alleles are associated with resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 acquisition in this high-risk population. Further studies are needed to understand its functional significance in HIV-1 transmission.

• Authors: William J R Turk, Joshua Kimani, Tomasz Bielawny, Charles Wachihi, Terry Blake Ball, Francis A Plummer, Ma Luo
• Journal: AIDS (London, England) (AIDS) Vol. 27 Issue 1 Pg. 7-15 (Jan 02 2013) ISSN: 1473-5571 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23032415 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HLA-G Antigens

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cohort Studies
• Disease Resistance (genetics, immunology)
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• HIV Infections (epidemiology, genetics, immunology)
• HIV-1 (immunology)
• HLA-G Antigens (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Mucosal (immunology)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Kenya (epidemiology)
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
• Prospective Studies
• Sex Workers