title: Genetic variants in nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E and HLA-G molecules are associated with susceptibility to heterosexual acquisition of HIV-1.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E and HLA-G molecules act as powerful modulators of the innate immune response. The present study shows that the HLA-E(G) genetic variant (the HLA-E*0103 allele) alone is significantly (P = .001) associated with a 4.0-fold decreased risk of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in Zimbabwean women. Furthermore, women carrying the combination of the protective HLA-E(G) homozygote and HLA-G*0105N heterozygote genotypes had a 12.5-fold decreased risk of HIV-1 infection (P = .03), compared with women carrying neither genotype. These associations remained significant after adjustment was made for other significant sociodemographic risk factors for HIV prevalence in this population. In conclusion, HLA-E and HLA-G polymorphisms can independently and synergistically influence susceptibility to heterosexual acquisition of HIV-1.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Immunogénétique, Hôpital Notre-Dame du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lajoie
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hargrove
authors.forename: Lynn S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Zijenah
authors.forename: Jean H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roger
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000635:transmission*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D020010:Heterosexuality; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015030:Zimbabwe; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens