Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

B-defensin genomic copy number is associated with HIV load and immune reconstitution in sub-Saharan Africans

Hardwick, R. J., Amogne, W., Mugusi, S., Yimer, G., Ngaimisi, E., Habtewold, A., Minzi, O., Makonnen, E., Janabi, M., Machado, L., Viskaduraki, M., Mugusi, F., Aderaye, G., Lindquist, L., Hollox, E. J. and Aklillu, E. (2012) B-defensin genomic copy number is associated with HIV load and immune reconstitution in sub-Saharan Africans. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 206(7), pp. 1012-1019. 1537-6613.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: AIDS, caused by the retrovirus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is the leading cause of death of economically active people (age, 15–59 years) in sub-Saharan Africa. The host genetic variability of immune response to HIV and immune reconstitution following initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) is poorly understood. Here we focused on copy number variation of the β-defensin genes, which have been shown to have anti-HIV activity, and are important chemoattractants for Th17 lymphocytes via the chemokine receptor CCR6. We determined β-defensin gene copy number for 1002 Ethiopian and Tanzanian patients. We show that higher β-defensin copy number variation is associated with increased HIV load prior to HAART (P = .005) and poor immune reconstitution following initiation of HAART (P = .003). We suggest a model where variable amounts of β-defensin expression by mucosal cells, due to gene copy number variation, alters the efficacy of recruitment of Th17 lymphocytes to the site of infection, altering the dynamics of infection.
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA643 Disease (Communicable and non-infectious) and public health > RA643.86 AIDS. Prevention and control
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC581 Immunologic diseases. Allergy > RC606.63 HIV infections
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics > QH438.7 Human genetics
Creators: Hardwick, Robert J, Amogne, Wondwossen, Mugusi, Sabina, Yimer, Getnet, Ngaimisi, Eliford, Habtewold, Abiy, Minzi, Omary, Makonnen, Eyasu, Janabi, Mohammed, Machado, Lee, Viskaduraki, Maria, Mugusi, Ferdinand, Aderaye, Getachew, Lindquist, Lars, Hollox, Edward J and Aklillu, Eleni
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Health
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing > Ageing Research Centre
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences
Date: 1 October 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 1012-1019
Journal or Publication Title: The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume: 206
Number: 7
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jis448
ISSN: 1537-6613
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/5688

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