Impact of Interleukin 16 (IL-16) Gene Polymorphism among Seropositive Stages in HIV-1 Infected Patients in North India

Abstract

Objective: Cytokines have a major role in host immune defense system, and proinflammatory cytokines acts in both innate and immune systems. IL-16 is a pleiotropic cytokine, plays a role in inflammatory diseases and is involved in expression of several proinflammatory cytokines i.e., TNF-α and IL-1β. Previous studies reached inconclusive results regarding the role of IL-16 polymorphism on HIV-1 disease and progression. Hence, we studied its effects on HIV-1 infection and disease susceptibility. Aim: This study aims to deduce the association of host genetic factors, IL-16 (rs 11556218, rs 4072111, rs 47778889) polymorphism on HIV-1 seropositive subjects in North Indian population. Methods: 100 HIV-1 seropositive (HSP) subjects differentiated on the basis of disease severity (Stage I, II and III) and 150 HIV-1 seronegative (HSN) as control subjects were genotyped for IL 16 (rs 11556218 T/G, rs 4072111 C/T, rs 4778889 T/C using Polymerase chain reaction-reaction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: IL 16 rs 11556218 TG, GG genotypes (P=0.003 for both) and G allele was highly significantly associated (P<0.01) with risk estimated to 2.5, 4.4 and 2.59 folds. For IL 16 rs 407211 T allele was seen highly protective (P<0.01) for HIV-1.