Polymorphisms in the IFNγ, IL-10, and TGFβ Genes May Be Associated with HIV-1 Infection

Abstract EN

Objective.

This study investigated possible associations between the TNFα-308G/A, IFN+874A/T, IL-6-174C/G, IL-10-1082A/G, and TGF β -509C/T polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection, in addition to correlation of the polymorphisms with clinical markers of AIDS progression, such as levels of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes and plasma viral load.

Methods.

A total of 216 individuals who were infected with HIV-1 and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 294 individuals from the uninfected control group were analyzed.

Results.

All individuals evaluated were negative for total anti-HBc, anti-HCV, anti-T.

pallidum, and anti-HTLV-1/2.

The polymorphisms were identified by PCR-RFLP.

Individuals presenting the IFN+874A allele as well as the AA genotype were more frequent in the HIV-1 infected group compared to the control group ( P < 0.05 ), in addition to having lower levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

The CD8+ T lymphocytes count was significantly lower in individuals with the IL-10-1082 GG genotype.

The TGF β -509TT genotype was associated with higher plasma viral load.

Conclusions.

The results suggest that the presence of the IFN+874A allele confers susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and a decrease in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

In addition, the genotype associated with high serum levels of TGF β may be associated with an increase in plasma viral load.