Frequencies of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL28B gene in HIV-1-infected patients and in patients coinfected with HIV-1/HTLV-1, HIV-1/HTLV-2 and HIV-1/HCV

• Grant number: 16/01666-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Immunogenetics
• Principal Investigator: Adele Caterino de Araújo
• Grantee: Bruna Viscardi Azevedo
• Host Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs12979860 e rs8099917) near the IL28B gene responsible for the production of interferon lambda (IFN ») have been associated with failure in antiviral innate immunity, treatment with PEG-IFN± and ribavirin and sustained virological response in hepatitis C. These polymorphisms have been studied in human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) infected individuals and have been associated with asymptomatic carrier or tropical spastic paraparesis/myelopathy associated with HTLV-1 (TSP/HAM) cases. The present study has the aim to investigate the frequency rates of polymorphisms in such SNPs in HIV-1-infected patients and in patients coinfected with HIV/HTLV-1, HIV/HTLV-2 and HIV/HCV, using the PCR-RFLP assays optimized in the HTLV Laboratory of Instituto Adolfo Lutz in São Paulo. Blood samples of 500 patients seen at an STD/AIDS Reference Center in São Paulo will be analyzed after signed informed consent. Differences in the results obtained in each group of patient could be used in the future as prognostic marker in predicting diseases and treatment outcomes in such patients.