HIV Immunogenetics

Host genetic variation is presently estimated to account for about one-fourth of the observed differences in control of HIV across infected individuals. HLA proteins play important roles in T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity by presenting immunodominant HIV epitopes to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and CD4(+) T cells. Of the genetic variants that have been shown to affect the natural history of HIV infection, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes exhibit the strongest and most consistent association, underscoring a central role for CD8(+) T cells in resistance to the virus. Genetic and functional data also indicate a function for HLA in natural killer cell-mediated innate immunity against HIV by interacting with killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). We review the HLA and KIR associations with HIV disease and discuss the mechanisms underlying these associations.

  • HLA/KIR restraint of HIV
  • Host genetic variation
  • Multidimensional effects of HLA molecules
  • HLA and KIR genetics and function
  • Genome-wide association studies
  • Immunogenetics of spontaneous control of HIV

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