Functionally active HLA-G polymorphisms are associated with the risk of heterosexual HIV-1 infection in African women

Abstract

This study demonstrates that functionally active HLA-G polymorphisms are associated with altered risk of HIV-1 infection in African women. This provides evidence to support the hypothesis that modulation of HLA-G expression by HIV-1 can contribute to the risk of infection. Targeted interventions to reduce or block HLA-G expression in genital tissues could lead to novel strategies for the prevention of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission.

Blood soluble human leukocyte antigen G levels are associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in Beninese commercial sex workers

“…DNA extraction was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or dried blood spots using a Masterpure DNA extraction kit (Epicentre, Madison, WI). HLA-G polymorphism was determined by direct DNA sequencing analysis as described previously [11,12]. The positions of the polymorphisms reported in the current study are in reference to the wild-type HLA-G reference sequence (GenBank Accession No.…”

“…The immunosuppressive properties of HLA-G might contribute to the susceptibility of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Recent studies have demonstrated that HLA-G polymorphisms are associated with an altered risk of heterosexual acquisition [10,11] and vertical transmission [12,13] of HIV-1. However, no data are available on the possible association between HLA-G expression at the protein level and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.…”

Emerging topics and new perspectives on HLA-G

“…HLA-G polymorphism in HIV infection has also been studied and various HLA-G alleles have been associated with different levels of risk of HIV infection. An association of G-0105N with protection and G-010108 with susceptibility to HIV infection has thus been found [109,110]. On the other hand, a greater susceptibility to HIV infection is associated with the presence of G-010108 alone or together with G-010401 [109].…”

“…An association of G-0105N with protection and G-010108 with susceptibility to HIV infection has thus been found [109,110]. On the other hand, a greater susceptibility to HIV infection is associated with the presence of G-010108 alone or together with G-010401 [109]. G-010108 has a substitution at codon 57 (G-A) without changes in amino acid sequence [111].…”

HLA Genetic Polymorphisms: Role in HIV-1 Susceptibility, Disease Progression and Treatment Outcomes

“…28 HLA G has been shown to inhibit NK cells and CD8 CTL function [29][30][31][32][33] and CD4 proliferation. 34 This non classical HLA molecule is associated with heterosexual transmission of HIV. 27 A recent study in ART naïve Kenyan women, showed less likelihood of perinatal HIV transmission in HLA G*01:03…”