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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
β-Defensin genomic copy number is associated with HIV load and immune reconstitution in sub-Saharan Africans
Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 206, No. 7, Year 2012
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Description
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. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Hardwick, Robert J.
United Kingdom, Leicester
University of Leicester
Amogne, Wondwossen
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset
Mugusi, Sabina Ferdinand
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili National Hospital
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Yimer, Getnet
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Ngaimisi, Eliford
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Tanzania
School of Pharmacy
Habtewold, Abiy
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Minzi, Omary Mashiku Sylivester
Tanzania
School of Pharmacy
Makonnen, Eyasu
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Janabi, Mohamed Y.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Machado, Lee R.
United Kingdom, Leicester
University of Leicester
Viskaduraki, Maria
United Kingdom, Leicester
University of Leicester
Mugusi, Ferdinand M.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Aderaye, Getachew
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Lindquist, Lars
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset
Hollox, Edward J.
United Kingdom, Leicester
University of Leicester
Aklillu, Eleni
Sweden, Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Statistics
Citations: 40
Authors: 16
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1093/infdis/jis448
ISSN:
00221899
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Infectious Diseases