Associations of human leukocyte antigen-G with resistance and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort

Objective: To determine the association between human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-G genotypes and resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1. Design: A group of sex workers in Pumwani, Kenya can be epidemiologically defined as resistant to HIV-1 infection despite frequent exposure and provide an example of natural protective immunity. HLA class I and II molecules have been shown to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to infection in this cohort. HLA-G is a non-classical class I allele that is primarily involved in mucosal and inflammatory response, which is of interest in HIV-1 resistance. Methods: In this study, we used a sequence-based typing method to genotype HLA-G for 667 women enrolled in this cohort and examined the influence of HLA-G genotypes on resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Results: The G*01 :01:01 genotype was significantly enriched in the HIV-1-resistant women [P = 0.002, Odds ratio: 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.259-0.976], whereas the G*01 :04:04 genotype was significantly associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection (P = 0.039, OR:0.502, 95% CI:0.259-0.976). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis correlated with these results. G*01 : 01:01 genotype was associated with significantly lower rate of seroconversion (P=0.001). Whereas, G*01 :04:04 genotype was significantly associated with an increased rate of seroconversion (P = 0.013). The associations of these HLA-G alleles are independent of other HLA class I and II alleles identified in this population. Conclusion: Our study showed that specific HLA-G alleles are associated with resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 acquisition in this high-risk population. Further studies are needed to understand its functional significance in HIV-1 transmission. (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins AIDS 2013, 27:7-15