Evaluation of potential correlation of certain host factors with HIV pathogenesis

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