Gene polymorphisms in CCR5, CCR2, SDF1 and RANTES among Chinese Han population with HIV-1 infection

Association of TREX1 polymorphism with disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infected patients

The time interval between HIV-1 infection and AIDS development is not the same in all patients and depends largely on the genetic background of the individual. Polymorphisms in the TREX1 gene, the main enzyme in the clearance of cytosolic DNA, affect type 1 interferon-mediated inflammatory response in HIV-1 infection. We aimed to study the role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3135941) of the TREX1 gene and the rate of disease progression in patients infected with HIV-1. A total of 190 HIV-1 infected patients were recruited. Patients' demographic and laboratory data including CD4 counts, viral load, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) were collected. The genotype of rs3135941 was determined by a PCR-SSP method. The rate of progression to AIDS was calculated with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis using Stata software. The patients were divided into rapid and slow progressors based on time interval of CD4 drop below 350/µl. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an accelerated disease progression in patients with TC and CC genotypes (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.01-2.17). The mean values of the first 5-year CD4 counts were significantly different in patients who had CC and TC genotypes compared to the TT group (p = 0.036). The result of this study emphasizes the importance of TREX1 polymorphism in HIV-1 progression. These data warrant further investigation into the role of other polymorphisms of TREX1.

The Association between CCL5/RANTES SNPs and Susceptibility to HIV-1 Infection: A Meta-Analysis

Genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode natural ligands of CCR5 (the main human HIV coreceptor), such as CCL5/RANTES, can alter the levels of secretion of these peptides. This article sought to review the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CCL5/RANTES and HIV-1 disease susceptibility. A meta-analysis was conducted through 17 articles found from January 1999 to December 2022 in the PUBMED, Science Direct, Medline, and SciELO databases. A total of three SNPs were identified and investigated under their dominant genotypic model and through a fixed-effects model. In terms of the SNP rs2107538 (G > A), in Africa and Asia, it has a protective role (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.41-0.76; p = 0.0002, and OR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.76-1.02; p = 0.08, respectively). In terms of the SNP rs2280788 (C > G), in Europe and America, it shows a higher risk role (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.06-3.47; p = 0.03, and OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.94-1.11; p = 0.04, respectively), but in the population of Asia, with its mutant allele, it has a protective role (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.63-0.93; p = 0.007). In terms of the SNP rs2280789 (T > C), no significant associations were found. Both SNPs rs2107538 and rs2280788 have a positive transcriptional effect on the RANTES/CCL5 gene, while SNP rs2280789 causes a decrease in gene expression levels. This study suggests that there is an association between the increased expression of CCL5/RANTES and a lower risk of AIDS. Therefore, further studies are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion, and these results may help establish scientific bases for effective HIV/AIDS control strategies.

The Influence Between C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 Genetic Polymorphisms and the Type-1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A 20-Year Review

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the types 1 and 2 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2). Clinical outcomes in patients are highly varied and delineated by complex interactions between virus, host, and environment, such as with help of co-receptors, for example, the C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). This work aimed to describe the scientific evidence relating the influence of CCR5 polymorphisms in association studies for HIV-1 disease susceptibility, severity, and transmissibility. This is a systematic review of the literature on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the deletion [Insertion and Deletion (Indel)] Δ32 of CCR5. The search for articles was based on the ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) databases for the period between 2001 and 2021. The final sample consisted of 32 articles. ^†SNP rs1799987 is one of the genetic polymorphisms most associated with the criteria of susceptibility and severity of HIV-1, having distinct consequences in genotypic, allelic, and clinical analysis in the variability of investigated populations. As for the transmission character of the disease, the G mutant allele of rs1799987 corresponds to the highest positive association. ^‡Furthermore, the results on Indel Δ32 corroborate the absence and rarity of this variant in some populations. Finally, mitigating the severity of cases, SNPs rs1799988 and rs1800023 obtained significant attribution in individuals in the studied populations. It is shown that the reported polymorphisms express significant influences for the evaluation of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic measures for HIV-1 having fundamental particularities in the molecular, genetic, and transcriptional aspects of CCR5.

Transient Increases in Inflammation and Proapoptotic Potential Are Associated with the HESN Phenotype Observed in a Subgroup of Kenyan Female Sex Workers

Interferon (IFN) -stimulated genes (ISGs) are critical effectors of IFN response to viral infection, but whether ISG expression is a correlate of protection against HIV infection remains elusive. A well-characterized subcohort of Kenyan female sex workers, who, despite being repeatedly exposed to HIV-1 remain seronegative (HESN), exhibit reduced baseline systemic and mucosal immune activation. This study tested the hypothesis that regulation of ISGs in the cells of HESN potentiates a robust antiviral response against HIV. Transcriptional profile of a panel of ISGs with antiviral function in PBMC and isolated CD4+ T cells from HESN and non-HESN sex worker controls were defined following exogenous IFN-stimulation using relative RT-qPCR. This study identified a unique profile of proinflammatory and proapoptotic ISGs with robust but transient responses to exogenous IFN-γ and IFN-α2 in HESN cells. In contrast, the non-HESN cells had a strong and prolonged proinflammatory ISG profile at baseline and following IFN challenge. Potential mechanisms may include augmented bystander apoptosis due to increased TRAIL expression (16-fold), in non-HESN cells. The study also identified two negative regulators of ISG induction associated with the HESN phenotype. Robust upregulation of SOCS-1 and IRF-1, in addition to HDM2, could contribute to the strict regulation of proinflammatory and proapoptotic ISGs in HESN cells. As reducing IRF-1 in the non-HESN cells resulted in the identified HESN ISG profile, and decreased HIV susceptibility, the unique HESN ISG profile could be a correlate of protection against HIV infection.

Association of Diverse Genotypes and Phenotypes of Immune Cells and Immunoglobulins With the Course of HIV-1 Infection

Disease progression among HIV-1-infected individuals varies widely, but the mechanisms underlying this variability remains unknown. Distinct disease outcomes are the consequences of many factors working in concert, including innate and adaptive immune responses, cell-mediated and humoral immunity, and both genetic and phenotypic factors. Current data suggest that these multifaceted aspects in infected individuals should be considered as a whole, rather than as separate unique elements, and that analyses must be performed in greater detail in order to meet the requirements of personalized medicine and guide optimal vaccine design. However, the wide adoption of antiretroviral therapy (ART) influences the implementation of systematic analyses of the HIV-1-infected population. Consequently, fewer data will be available for acquisition in the future, preventing the comprehensive investigations required to elucidate the underpinnings of variability in disease outcome. This review seeks to recapitulate the distinct genotypic and phenotypic features of the immune system, focusing in particular on comparing the surface proteins of immune cells among individuals with different HIV infection outcomes.

Evaluation of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23R, VDR, CCL2, CCL5, CCR2, and CCR5 gene polymorphisms and expression in Chinese individuals with syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the infection of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. T-helper type 17-related genes, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, and chemokine/chemokine receptor genes are crucial in microbial infection. A total of 16 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes (interleukin [IL]-17A, IL-17F, IL-23R, VDR, C-C motif chemokine ligand [CCL] 2, CCL5, C-C chemokine receptor [CCR] 2, and CCR5) were analyzed in 188 patients with syphilis and 216 healthy controls. The results showed a strong correlation of IL-17A rs2275913 (AA vs AG + GG: odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.92; P = 0.020; A vs G: OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.76; P = 0.043) and rs3819024 (GG vs AA + GA: OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.91; P = 0.028; G vs A: OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.80; P = 0.030) with syphilis. In haplotype analysis, IL-17A rs2275913A/rs3819024G showed a risk effect (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.82; P = 0.026), whereas IL-17A rs2275913G/rs3819024A showed a protective effect (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.998; P = 0.048). The expression levels of IL-17A messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and IL-17A secretion in plasma were further examined. No significant differences were found between patients with syphilis and healthy controls. The study also explored whether IL-17A rs2275913 and rs3819024 were associated with the expression of IL-17A mRNA and IL-17A secretion in patients with syphilis. Similar negative results were found. In conclusion, the polymorphisms of IL-17A rs2275913 and rs3819024 and the haplotype containing these two SNPs influenced the susceptibility to syphilis in a Han Chinese population.

A novel dual-luciferase assay for anti-HIV drug screening based on the CCR5/CXCR4 promoters

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a serious worldwide disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) are important coreceptors mediating HIV-1 cell entry. Many new anti-HIV drugs are currently in preclinical and clinical trials; however, drug development has proceeded slowly partly because of the lack of a high-throughput system to screen these drugs. Here, we describe the development of a novel dual-luciferase assay using a CCR5/CXCR4 promoter-driven firefly and Renilla luciferase vector (pGL4.10-RLUC-CCR5/CXCR4). Drugs were screened for the ability to regulate CCR5 and CXCR4 promoter activities. The CCR5 and CXCR4 promoters were inserted separately into the recombinant vector and transfected into the acute T lymphocyte leukemia cell line H9. Treatment of stable transfected cells with four traditional Chinese medicine compounds resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of the CXCR4 and CCR5 promoter activities. The dual-luciferase reporter assay provides a rapid and direct method to screen anti-AIDS/HIV drugs.

Association of gene polymorphism of SDF1(CXCR12) with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS disease progression: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Genetic polymorphism of viral receptors is relevant to risks of HIV-1 infection, while it is still under debated whether the polymorphism of SDF1, a unique ligand for HIV-1 coreceptor CXCR4, is associated with HIV susceptibility and AIDS disease progression. Therefore, we provided an updated quantitative assessment by meta-analysis from 16 case-control and 7 cohort studies.

METHODS

Articles reporting the relationship between SDF1 polymorphism and HIV susceptibility or AIDS progression were retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Ovid electronic databases up to Apr 2017. Data were pooled by odds ratios (ORs) for HIV-1 infection with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and summary relative hazards (RHs) for AIDS progression with 95% CIs using 1987 Center for Disease Control (CDC) case definition of AIDS (CDC87) and 1993 Center for Disease Control (CDC) case definition of AIDS (CDC93) and death as endpoints.

RESULTS

As a result, 16 studies regarding susceptibility to HIV-1 infection with 2803 HIV-infected patients and 3697 healthy individuals and 7 studies regarding disease progression with 4239 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. For risks of infection, no evidences indicated SDF1 polymorphism was associated with the risk of HIV-1 infection in all genetic models (recessive model: OR = 0.94, 95% Cl: 0.75-1.17; homozygous model: OR = 0.89, 95% Cl: 0.70-1.15; heterozygous model: OR = 1.06, 95% Cl: 0.83-1.35; allele model: OR = 0.95, 95% Cl: 0.79-1.13), Furthermore, we failed to find an delayed AIDS progression except in some specific cohorts including MACS cohorts (RH = 0.38, 95% Cl: 0.17-0.59 for time to AIDS; RH = 0.27, 95% Cl: 0.07-0.46 for time to death at the study entry).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, no significant association was found between SDF1 polymorphism and HIV susceptibility. A protective effect of SDF1 on AIDS progression and death was seen especially in two studies based on the same cohorts. In conclusion, SDF1 polymorphism exerts a moderate protective effect against AIDS disease deterioration in some specific populations.

Effects of CCR5 59029G/A polymorphism on the risk to diabetic nephropathy

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) causes high mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and imposes heavy burden on individuals and society. In previous studies, various researches have investigated the association of DN with CCR5 59029G/A polymorphism, but relevant findings were controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to obtain a conclusion on this issue.

Results

CCR5 59029G/A polymorphism showed significant risk-increasing effects on DN in all analyses under AA vs. GG, AA+GA vs. GG, AA vs. GG+GA, A vs. G and GA vs. GG model contrasts. Besides, a similar result was also obtained in Asian and type 2 diabetes mellitus groups under these five contrasts after subgroup analyses.

Methods

The relevant publications were searched from the electronic databases and other sources. The association intensity between CCR5 59029G/A polymorphism and DN susceptibility was measured using pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Inter-study heterogeneity was inspected with Q test, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to verify the stability of the final outcomes by removing one study each time in turn. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test were utilized to examine publication bias among selected studies.

Conclusion

CCR5 59029G/A polymorphism is significantly related to enhanced susceptibility to DN, especially in Asian populations and people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Impact of genetic variations in C-C chemokine receptors and ligands on infectious diseases

Chemokine receptors and ligands are crucial for extensive immune response against infectious diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, HIV and tuberculosis and a wide variety of other diseases. Role of chemokines are evidenced in the activation and regulation of immune cell migration which is important for immune response against diseases. Outcome of disease is determined by complex interaction among pathogen, host genetic variability and surrounding milieu. Variation in expression or function of chemokines caused by genetic polymorphisms could be associated with attenuated immune responses. Exploration of chemokine genetic polymorphisms in therapeutic response, gene regulation and disease outcome is important. Infectious agents in human host alter the expression of chemokines via epigenetic alterations and thus contribute to disease pathogenesis. Although some fragmentary data are available on chemokine genetic variations and their contribution in diseases, no unequivocal conclusion has been arrived as yet. We therefore, aim to investigate the association of CCR5-CCL5 and CCR2-CCL2 genetic polymorphisms with different infectious diseases, transcriptional regulation of gene, disease severity and response to therapy. Furthermore, the role of epigenetics in genes related to chemokines and infectious disease are also discussed.

The Effects of RANTES Polymorphisms on Susceptibility to HIV-1 Infection and Disease Progression: Evidence from an Updated Meta-Analysis

Associations of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) -403G/A, -28C/G, and In1.1T/C polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection and the progression of HIV-1 disease have been widely reported with inconsistent results. To clarify this situation, we performed an updated meta-analysis of all available studies from PubMed, EMBASE, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A total of 24 eligible studies involving more than 10,000 subjects were included. By using the healthy controls, we found that -403G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in G/A+A/A versus GG (odds ratio [OR] = 0.755, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.581-0.982); and a significantly decreased risk was also found for -28C/G polymorphisms (G vs. C, OR = 0.804, 95% CI = 0.696-0.927; G/G+C/G vs. C/C, OR = 0.826, 95% CI = 0.704-0.969). Whereas for In1.1T/C polymorphism, increased risk of HIV-1 infection was revealed (C vs. T, OR = 1.216, 95% CI = 1.047-1.430; T/C vs. T/T, OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.263-2.234; T/C+T/T vs. C/C, OR = 1.466, 95% CI = 1.147-1.875). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed significant association among Asians, but not among Caucasians. When HIV-1-exposed seronegative (HESN) controls were used, no significant association was detected. Moreover, -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms were also not associated with long-term nonprogressive HIV-1 infection (all p > .05). This meta-analysis suggests that RANTES -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms confer possible protection against HIV-1 infection, whereas In1.1T/C polymorphism may increase risk of HIV-1 infection, especially in Asians. These results may contribute to finding a theoretical basis for effective control strategies against HIV/AIDS. Further investigations are needed to validate our conclusions.

Identification of Variants of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Entry Factors in Patients Highly Exposed to HCV but Remaining Uninfected: An ANRS Case-Control Study

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes persistent infection in 75% of cases and is a major public health problem worldwide. More than 92% of intravenous drug users (IDU) infected by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are seropositive for HCV, and it is conceivable that some HIV-1-infected IDU who remain uninfected by HCV may be genetically resistant.Here we conducted a case-control study to identify mutations in HCV entry coreceptors in HIV-infected IDU who remained uninfected by HCV. We recruited 138 patients, comprising 22 HIV+ HCV- case IDU and 116 HIV+ HCV+ control IDU. We focused on coreceptors in which point mutations are known to abolish HCV infectivity in vitro. Our previous study of the Claudin-1 gene revealed no specific variants in the same case population. Here we performed direct genomic sequencing of the Claudin-6, Claudin-9, Occludin and Scavenger receptor-B1 (SCARB1) gene coding regions. Most HIV+ HCV- IDU had no mutations in HCV coreceptors. However, two HIV+ HCV- patients harbored a total of four specific mutations/variants of HCV entry factors that were not found in the HIV+ HCV+ controls. One case patient harbored heterozygous variants of both Claudin-6 and Occludin, and the other case patient harbored two heterozygous variants of SCARB1. This suggests that HCV resistance might involve complex genetic events and factors other than coreceptors, a situation similar to that reported for HIV-1 resistance.

Reducing IRF-1 to Levels Observed in HESN Subjects Limits HIV Replication, But Not the Extent of Host Immune Activation

Cells from women who are epidemiologically deemed resistant to HIV infection exhibit a 40-60% reduction in endogenous IRF-1 (interferon regulatory factor-1), an essential regulator of host antiviral immunity and the early HIV replication. This study examined the functional consequences of reducing endogenous IRF-1 on HIV-1 replication and immune response to HIV in natural HIV target cells. IRF-1 knockdown was achieved in ex vivo CD4(+) T cells and monocytes with siRNA. IRF-1 level was assessed using flow cytometry, prior to infection with HIV-Bal, HIV-IIIB, or HIV-VSV-G. Transactivation of HIV long terminal repeats was assessed by p24 secretion (ELISA) and Gag expression (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)). The expression of IRF-1-regulated antiviral genes was quantitated with RT-PCR. A modest 20-40% reduction in endogenous IRF-1 was achieved in >87% of ex vivo-derived peripheral CD4(+) T cells and monocytes, resulted in >90% reduction in the transactivation of the HIV-1 genes (Gag, p24) and, hence, HIV replication. Curiously, these HIV-resistant women demonstrated normal immune responses, nor an increased susceptibility to other infection. Similarly, modest IRF-1 knockdown had limited impact on the magnitude of HIV-1-elicited activation of IRF-1-regulated host immunologic genes but resulted in lessened duration of these responses. These data suggest that early expression of HIV-1 genes requires a higher IRF-1 level, compared to the host antiviral genes. Together, these provide one key mechanism underlying the natural resistance against HIV infection and further suggest that modest IRF-1 reduction could effectively limit productive HIV infection yet remain sufficient to activate a robust but transient immune response.

A SDF1 genetic variant confers resistance to HIV-1 infection in intravenous drug users in China

Despite repeated exposures to HIV-1, some individuals remain uninfected, suggesting that genetic factors confer host resistance to HIV-1 acquisition. The chemokine receptors CCR5, CXCR4 and the principal ligand SDF1 of CXCR4 play an important role for the entry of HIV-1 to target cells. To explore the relationship between genetic variants and HIV-1 infection, 11 common SNPs in CCR5, CXCR4 and SDF1 were genotyped in 921 male intravenous drug users (IDUs), of which 263 individuals were HIV-1-exposed seropositive (HESP) and 658 were HIV-1-exposed seronegative (HESN). According to the situation of syringe-sharing, the whole cohort was divided into two subgroups: syringe-sharing (SS) and syringe-not-sharing (SNS). We found that in the SNS subgroup rs17540465 of SDF1 showed significant difference of allele and genotype frequencies between HESP IDUs and HESN IDUs, but not in the SS subgroup. HESP with SNS carried significantly less allele A compared with HESN with SNS, indicating a protective role of allele A against HIV-1 infection. Syringe-sharing IDUs are supposed to be exposed highly to HIV-1 infection risk due to the direct transfer of HIV-1 infected blood to another. For syringe-not-sharing IDUs, sexual contact may be the major route of HIV-1 transmission. Considering the different route of HIV-1 transfection between two subgroups, we speculate that SDF1 may contribute susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in the route of sexual intercourse.

Association between chemotactic chemokine ligand 5 -403G/A polymorphism and risk of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: a meta-analysis

Background

The association between chemotactic chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) -403G/A gene polymorphism and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection has been illustrated among several case-control studies, but the conclusions are still inconsistent. Here we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the association.

Methods

The published studies based upon the association between CCL5 -403G/A polymorphism and HIV-1 infection were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Quantitative synthesis, including pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), was performed for all genetic models.

Results

A total of ten studies consisting of 5,127 subjects were included for this meta-analysis. There was no association found between -403G/A polymorphism and HIV-1 infection in the overall analysis under any genetic models. Further stratified by ethnicity, our analysis showed that -403A/A polymorphism significantly decreased the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in three models: the dominant model (AA+AG vs GG: OR =0.44, 95% CI =0.21–0.94) among Africans, the homozygous model (AA vs GG: OR =0.62, 95% CI =0.242–0.90), and the recessive model (AA vs GG+AG: OR =0.62, 95% CI =0.45–0.93) among Asians.

Conclusion

We found that only Asians and Africans with CCL5 -403A/A polymorphism could be resistant to HIV-1 infection. However, further studies should be performed to evaluate this association on ethnic basis against control groups consisting of individuals who have once been exposed to HIV-1 but are seronegative.