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A polymorphism that reduces RANTES expression is associated with protection from death in HIV-seropositive Ugandans with advanced disease.

Cooke GS, Tosh K, Ramaley PA, Kaleebu P, Zhuang J, Nakiyingi JS, Watera C, Gilks CF, French N, Whitworth JA, Hill AV

Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX3 7BN. grahamc@well.ox.ac.uk

We investigated the effect of RANTES polymorphisms on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression in an urban population of Uganda. HIV-positive individuals homozygous for the INT1.1C polymorphism, which had been associated previously with low RANTES expression, were less likely to die than were those with other genotypes (hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.83]; P=.007). This report of a non-human leukocyte antigen genetic association with HIV-1 and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome disease progression in an African population reveals a genetic effect different from that reported elsewhere for African Americans and may impact therapeutic strategies targeting the RANTES pathway in HIV infection.

Published 9 August 2006 in J Infect Dis, 194(5): 666-9.
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