The tandem-repeat polymorphism of the DC-SIGNR gene does not affect the susceptibility to HIV infection and the progression to AIDS.
DC-SIGNR is a C-type lectin that functions as a transreceptor for HIV-1. The exon 4 of the DC-SIGNR gene comprises a variable number of 69-bp tandem repeats, encoding for parts of the extracellular protein domain. Here, we analyzed the relevance of this gene polymorphism for the interindividual transmission of HIV-1 and the progression to AIDS. A cross-sectional comparison between HIV-1-infected patients (n = 391) and healthy volunteers (n = 134) did not reveal significant differences with regard to the DC-SIGNR allele distribution. Moreover, DC-SIGNR allele frequencies were similar in slowly progressing HIV patients (n = 31) and patients who rapidly progressed to AIDS (n = 46). Additionally, in a cohort of 149 newly HIV-infected patients, no relationship was found between HIV set point viremia and DC-SIGNR genotypes. Thus, the DC-SIGNR tandem-repeat polymorphism in exon 4 does not have a significant impact on the host's susceptibility to HIV and the clinical progression to AIDS.
Department of General Internal Medicine, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany. mlichterfeld@partners.org
Mathias
M
Lichterfeld
Hans Dieter
HD
Nischalke
Jan
J
van Lunzen
Jennifer
J
Söhne
Norbert
N
Schmeisser
Rainer
R
Woitas
Tilman
T
Sauerbruch
Jürgen K
JK
Rockstroh
Ulrich
U
Spengler
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics; D019562:Viral Load
C433029:CLEC4M protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D004279:DNA, Viral; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface