Discordance at human leukocyte antigen-DRB3 and protection from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission.
Host human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) integrated into the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 envelope could theoretically determine, as in tissue transplants, whether HIV-1 is "rejected" by exposed susceptible persons, preventing transmission. HLA discordance (mismatch) was examined among 45 heterosexual partner pairs in which at least 1 partner was HIV-1 infected and exposure or transmission between partners had occurred. Immunologic discordance at class II HLA-DRB3 (present in the HIV donor partner but absent in the recipient partner) was associated with lack of transmission of HIV-1. Eight (35%) of 23 partner pairs in which HIV-1 transmission did not occur were immunologically discordant at HLA-DRB3, compared with 0 of 11 partner pairs in which HIV-1 transmission did occur (P=.027). Further investigation of the roles of class II HLAs in HIV-1 transmission and as possible components of HIV-1 vaccines should be pursued.
Hader
Shannon L
SL
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS E-45, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. sth5@cdc.gov
Hodge
Thomas W
TW
Buchacz
Kate A
KA
Bray
Robert A
RA
Padian
Nancy S
NS
Rausa
Alfio
A
Slaviniski
Sally A
SA
Holmberg
Scott D
SD
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains