Abstract:
The susceptibility to HIV infection and the development of AIDS are highly influenced by
host genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes that code for several
cytokines, including IL-18, IL-10, and TGF-β1, have previously been associated to variable
risk of HIV infection in different populations. In this research, polymorphisms in these
immunomodulatory molecules have been determined through SSP PCR and related to HIV
pathogenesis in Pakistani population. Our results demonstrated a significant association of
TGF-β1 -509TT genotype/TGF-β1 -509C/T polymorphism with HIV susceptibility and a
probable link of T allele at this position with the disease susceptibility, while C allele has
shown protective role against HIV infection. Contrary to previous studies regarding IL-10
polymorphism, AG genotype has shown increased susceptibility towards HIV, while GG
genotype has suggested protective role against HIV. No significant difference was found
between HIV patients and controls for IL-18 polymorphisms. FAM26F is an essential
regulatory protein involved in immunity, cell differentiation, infection, and anticancer
activity. However, its specific role and modulatory mechanisms are yet unknown. Recently,
immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation-based techniques were employed to determine
the six interaction partners of FAM26F namely, Calpain-1 catalytic subunit, Calmodulin-like
protein 5, Peroxiredoxin-2, Protein S100-A7, Vinculin, and Thioredoxin. Current study has
also evaluated the expression of FAM26F and its interacting partner peroxiredoxin-2 in HIV 1-infected patients and in healthy individuals to determine the association of these genes at
the mRNA level with HIV pathogenesis through real-time PCR. Our results have
demonstrated that FAM26F has significant association with HIV infection while
peroxiredoxin-2 has no significant association with HIV infection
