title: Evaluation of a modified version of Heteroduplex Mobility Assay for rapid screening of HIV-1 isolates in epidemics characterized by mono/dual clade predominance.
abstract: The geographical distribution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes show, with the exception of some African Countries, a specific pattern. However, the significant phenomenon of migration to Western Countries, coupled to inter-ethnic blending, may result in a constant introduction and spread of novel subtypes and/or recombinant forms in previously homogeneous HIV-1 epidemics. The need to identify and trace these events prompted the development of a rapid and specific bio-molecular tool for the HIV-1 screening, based on the well-established Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (HMA). This modified version of HMA (rHMA) has been designed to detect, by a short electrophoretic analysis, HIV-1 isolates remarkably divergent form the local predominant clade, for subsequent more accurate genetic and phylogenetic analyses. The method has been validated for both C2-V5 region of env gene and the p24-p7 region of the gag gene, by proof-of-concept experiments performed on a panel of reference standards representing the globally most prevalent HIV-1 subtypes, and applied to screen Italian and Ugandan field isolates. The rHMA experimental conditions identified in this study have been shown to be specific and reliable for both sub-genomic regions of each subtype used. In the context of nationwide monitoring programs, the rHMA may represent a powerful tool for the HIV-1 molecular surveillance in both developed and developing countries, particularly those characterized by mono/dual-clade HIV-1 epidemic, which is relevant for epidemiological studies and for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Lab. Viral Oncology, AIDS Refer. Center, Ist. Naz. Tumori Fond. G. Pascale, Cappella dei Cangiani, 80131 Naples, Italy. irccsvir@unina.it
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buonaguro
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tagliamonte
authors.forename: Maria Lina
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tornesello
authors.forename: Franco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Buonaguro
mesh_terms: D015752:Genes, env; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D020180:Heteroduplex Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny