HLA-G 14bp polymorphism on HIV-1 perinatal transmission (P3041)

Abstract

Abstract Background/aims: HLA-G is expressed at maternal-fetal interface and is strongly involved on maternal-fetal tolerance. The 3' untranslated region of HLA-G gene presents an insertion (INS) and/or deletion (DEL) of a 14bp fragment, which is associated with stability and expression levels of HLA-G mRNA. The aim of this study was to analyze the hypothesis that the 14bp polymorphism can influence the HIV vertical transmission. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 49 mother-child pairs (26 pairs with and 23 without vertical transmission). All children were born from HIV-positive mothers who did not receive antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy. The 14 pp polymorphism was detected by PCR-amplified DNA using specific primers. Statistical analyses were made by Fisher's exact test. This study was approved by the local ethics committee. Results: We did not detect significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected child; however, the presence of the D/D homozygous genotype was more frequent among mothers with HIV-infected child (p=0.05). In addition, the 14pb similarity among mother and child pairs was more frequent on vertical transmission (69%) than on its absence. Conclusion: The presence of the genotype (DEL/DEL), associated with high production of HLA-G, and the similarities of the 14bp DEL/INS genotypes between mother and child may favor HIV mother to child transmission.