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

An emerging paradigm of CXCL12 involvement in the metastatic cascade

The chemokine CXCL12, also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1), has emerged as a pivotal regulator in the intricate molecular networks driving cancer progression. As an influential factor in the tumor microenvironment, CXCL12 plays a multifaceted role that spans beyond its traditional role as a chemokine inducing invasion and metastasis. Indeed, CXCL12 has been assigned functions related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer cell stemness, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression, all of which are currently viewed as specialized biological programs contributing to the "metastatic cascade" among other cancer hallmarks. Its interaction with its cognate receptor, CXCR4, initiates a cascade of events that not only shapes the metastatic potential of tumor cells but also defines the niches within the secondary organs that support metastatic colonization. Given the profound implications of CXCL12 in the metastatic cascade, understanding its mechanistic underpinnings is of paramount importance for the targeted elimination of rate-limiting steps in the metastatic process. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge surrounding the role of CXCL12 in cancer metastasis, especially its molecular interactions rationalizing its potential as a therapeutic target.

Molecular genetic association of rs8099917 and rs1800795 polymorphisms in the progression of hepatitis Delta virus liver disease

Background

The relationship between viral infections and host factors holds high hopes for identifying the role of Interferon Lambda 3 (IFNL3) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) polymorphisms in the development of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) in patients infected with hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) in the Western Brazilian Amazon.

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted with a cohort of 40 chronic HDV patients, 27 with CLD and 13 without evident liver damage. Biological samples from the participants were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, followed by sequencing by the automated Sanger method.

Results

The rs8099917 T allele, from the IFNL3 gene, showed a higher frequency in both groups; however, it was not possible to establish an association with HDV infection [OR = 1.42 (0.42 - 4.75; p = 0.556 (95% CI). For IL-6, the rs1800795 G allele was superior to rs1800795 C. Analyzing both distributions in the studied groups, any association with HDV was absent (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the rs8099917 T/G (IFNL3) and rs1800795 G/C (IL-6) polymorphisms are not associated with the evolution of HDV in the studied population.

Consequences of HIV infection in the bone marrow niche

Dysregulation of the bone marrow niche resulting from the direct and indirect effects of HIV infection contributes to haematological abnormalities observed in HIV patients. The bone marrow niche is a complex, multicellular environment which functions primarily in the maintenance of haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). These adult stem cells are responsible for replacing blood and immune cells over the course of a lifetime. Cells of the bone marrow niche support HSPCs and help to orchestrate the quiescence, self-renewal and differentiation of HSPCs through chemical and molecular signals and cell-cell interactions. This narrative review discusses the HIV-associated dysregulation of the bone marrow niche, as well as the susceptibility of HSPCs to infection by HIV.

Treatment with Antiviral Drugs Will Significantly Inhibit the HIV-1 RNA POL Gene Expression and Viral Load in AIDS Patients

Objective

This study is to investigate the difference in HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression in AIDS patients before and after antiviral treatment and its effect on the expression level of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood.

Methods

The participants included 200 AIDS patients who had undergone antiviral medication, and the quantity of HIV-1 RNA pol gene was determined using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry before and after therapy. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to assess the impact of HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio on the prognosis of AIDS patients.

Results

After three months of therapy, the levels of HIV-1 RNA and viral load in the patients showed a drastic decline, while the levels of CD4+/CD8+ were markedly elevated (P < 0.05). Logistic analysis revealed that patients' viral loads were positively correlated with HIV-1 RNA and negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cell (WBC) count, Serum creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and platelet (PLT) levels significantly increased following a 24-month therapy, while no significant changes were observed in the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), red blood cell (RBC), and neutrophil (NEU) (%). (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Antiviral drugs significantly inhibit the HIV-1 RNA POL gene expression and viral load in AIDS patients but upregulate the expression level of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood.

AIDS incidence and survival in a hospital-based cohort of HIV-positive patients from São Paulo, Brazil: The role of IFN-λ4 polymorphisms

Few studies have reported the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients followed for a long time in Brazil, particularly those including pre and post-HAART eras. The polymorphisms of interferon (IFN)-λ4 have been postulated as possibly associated with the pathogenesis of HIV infection. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and mortality from a cohort of HIV-positive patients as well as whether IFN-λ4 gene polymorphisms (SNP rs8099917 and SNP rs12979860) were associated with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression. We followed 402 patients for up to 30 years; 347 of them began follow-up asymptomatic, without any AIDS-defining opportunistic disease and/or a lymphocytes T CD4+ count of 350 cells/mm3 or lower. We determined the probability of the asymptomatic subjects to remain AIDS-free, and the risk of death for those entering the study already with an AIDS diagnosis, as well as for subjects developing AIDS during follow-up. We compared the prognosis of patients with two different polymorphisms for the genes encoding for IFN-λ4, variants rs8099917 and rs12979860. The follow-up time of the 347 asymptomatic-at-entry subjects was 3687 person-years. IFN-λ4 rs8099917 polymorphisms were not associated with AIDS progression, but IFN-λ4 rs12979860 wild type genotype (CC) was associated with higher mortality compared to CT and TT, with an increased probability of death from AIDS (P = .01). In conclusion, genetic variations in IFN-λ4 on rs12979860 polymorphisms in HIV-infected patients may drive mortality risk.

Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells and the Pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS

The interaction between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) has been of great interest. However, it remains unclear whether HSPCs can act as viral reservoirs. Many studies have reported the presence of latently infected HSPCs in the bone marrow of HIV-infected patients, whereas many other investigators have reported negative results. Hence, further evidence is required to elucidate this controversy. The other arm of HSPC investigations of HIV infection involves dynamics analysis in the early and late stages of infection to understand the impact on the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Several recent studies have suggested reduced amounts and/or functional impairment of multipotent, myeloid, and lymphoid progenitors in HIV infection that may contribute to hematological manifestations, including anemia, pancytopenia, and T-cell depletion. In addition, ongoing and future studies on the senescence of HSPCs are expected to further the understanding of HIV pathogenesis. This mini review summarizes reports describing the basic aspects of hematopoiesis in response to HIV infection and offers insights into the association of HIV infection/exposure of the host HSPCs and hematopoietic potential.

Neurocognitive Impairment and Associated Genetic Aspects in HIV Infection

HIV enters the central nervous system (CNS) early after infection. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a serious complication of HIV infection despite available antiretroviral therapy (ART). Neurocognitive deficits observed in HAND are heterogeneous, suggesting a variability in individuals' susceptibility or resiliency to the detrimental CNS effects of HIV infection. This chapter reviews primary host genomic changes (immune-related genes, genes implicated in cognitive changes in primary neurodegenerative diseases), epigenetic mechanisms, and genetic interactions with ART implicated in HIV progression or HAND/neurocognitive complications of HIV. Limitations of the current findings include diversity of the HAND phenotype and limited replication of findings across cohorts. Strategies to improve the precision of future (epi)genetic studies of neurocognitive consequences of HIV infection are offered.