HIV-Resistance Genes

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted July 20, 2007 in DNA and Disease

Last month, I wrote about HIVmirror, a DNA test for people with HIV. HIVmirror tests for the CCR5 Delta32 and CCR2-64I genetic variants which are associated with a slower rate of HIV progression to AIDS. Add to these a few more DNA polymorphisms that influence the immune system’s response to HIV.

Researchers used the whole-genome association strategy to identify polymorphisms that account for the 15% of variation in viral load in 486 asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals. (Science)

• HCP5 gene polymorphism associated with major histocompatibility allele HLA-B*5701 - Helps to destroy HIV infected cells.
• HLA-C gene rs9264942 sequence - People with this polymorphism have a 90% lower HIV viral load on average than people who do not have this DNA polymorphism. According to New Scientist,

  *10% of Europeans have 2 copy of rs9264942 assoc. with 90% viral load reduction
  *50% of europeans carry 1 copy assoc. with 60% reduction
  *<40% of people of African descent carry one copy

• ZNRD1 - Inhibits HIV replication.

While some companies may use these results to expand genetic testing for HIV-infected patients, researchers are focusing on understanding HIV’s ability to dodge the immune system so that vaccines can be developed.

More from the San Francisco Chronicle which also mentions the importance of genome-wide analyses.

Tags: hiv, aids, genetics, genes, dna, diseases, illness, health, medicine

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5 Comments »

Comment by David Bradley

2007-07-20 13:43:18

Presumably, the vaccine side of this is actually where the main impetus for research will come from.

db

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Comment by Hsien

2007-07-20 13:49:15

I would certainly hope so. Although I wonder if there are people crazy enough to want to know their genotype so they can engage in risky behavior with impunity. Ahh. Perish the thought!

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Comment by Science Teacher

2007-07-20 18:51:50

I think the most important part of this is that we may be stamping out a disease with 100% mortality. How could anyone look at this research and NOT be greatful but instead worry that people might engage in “risky behavior” more often? Sheesh!

Notice I said mortality and not morality above…

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Comment by Hsien

2007-07-20 18:59:30

Science Teacher,

Thanks for the comment but I think you missed half of my statement and a point I made in the post. There are companies already offering genetic testing to HIV-infected people based on these early findings. The idea is that they should have the right to information that can give them an idea of their prognosis. While I’m all for our right to know what kind of DNA we’re carrying, as a former trained HIV/AIDS counsellor, I also know that having this type of information can lead some people to feel they’re invincible.

Also, I don’t believe that these data should lead anyone to think we’ll be “stamping out a disease” anytime soon. It’s the use of these data prior to “stamping out a disease” that has me concerned.

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Pingback by My Biotech Life » Gene Genie #12 aka The Dozen

2007-07-30 01:34:51

[...] with HIV, Hsien Lei over at Eye on DNA wrote up a nice post focused on HIV-Resistance genes and how researchers can study the way HIV dodges the immune system in future vaccine [...]

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