High levels of the protein HLA-C -- a crucial part of the immune system -- are associated with slower progression of HIV/AIDS, according to a study published online in Nature Genetics.
About 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, a serious disease of the immune system. Although many anti-retroviral medications have been developed that can extend the lives of HIV-positive individuals, none of these medications can cure the disease. Previously, a genetic variant found near the HLA-C gene had been associated with expression levels of HLA-C mRNA as well as levels of HIV RNA. Mary Carrington and colleagues now extend these findings, showing that this genetic variant is also associated with HLA-C protein levels. Furthermore, the authors show that HIV-positive individuals with high levels of HLA-C progress more slowly to AIDS and that their HIV levels are significantly better controlled. Author contact: Mary Carrington (National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA)
E-mail: carringt@mail.ncifcrf.gov Abstract available online. (C) Nature Genetics press release.
Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza
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