title: Polymorphisms in major cytokine genes: a study among human immunodeficiency Virus-1 serodiscordant couples in Mumbai, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphism in cytokine genes may affect its production, which play an important role in modulation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Evaluation of these polymorphisms might help to understand why some individuals remain uninfected in spite of several exposures to HIV infection, such as the negative spouses of discordant couples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 cytokine genes and their receptors with HIV infection in serodiscordant couples, attending the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre of a Municipality Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the end of at least 2 years of follow up, 42 couples were confirmed as being serodiscordant. Genotyping was carried out in blood samples of these couples using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific amplification method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly high frequency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist IL-1RA mspa 11100 CC (P=0.04), tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-α -238 AG (P=0.01) and IL-4 -33 TT (P=0.01) was observed in HIV seropositives (HSP) while frequency of TNF-α -238 GG (P=0.02) was significantly high among the exposed uninfected (EU). However, application of Bonferroni correction identified only two SNPs i.e., TNF-α -238 AG and IL-4 -33 TT to be significantly associated with the acquisition of HIV. In remaining cytokine genes, no significant association was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study highlighted possible association of certain specific polymorphisms with HIV transmission, whereas presence or absence of certain other polymorphism in EU individuals might be offering protection from HIV infection. These variations at the genetic level might help to explore new insights into treatment and HIV prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases Biology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Chavan
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kerkar
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mania-Pramanik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001773:Blood Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D060467:Disease Resistance; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines