Abstract
Background The immune response of HIV-infected individuals shapes the evolution of the virus by selecting escape mutation. After transmission to a new host, the HLA-mediated immune pressure changes. The objective of our study was to characterize the dynamics of HLA-anchor escape mutations after transmission. Methods We studied 6 transmission events between members of serodiscordant couples collecting blood samples from the donor and the previously seronegative-partner at the moment of seroconversion, and a second sample at least 6 months post-infection. HLA-I typing was performed by the SSOP-PCR method. The viral gene gag was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the pGEM-T vector for viral quasiespecies analysis. Transmitted strain was identified by phylogenetic analysis. Escape mutation was defined as viral polimorphisms located in HLA-anchor position that eliminate an epitope predicted by the NetMHC (CBS Prediction Server). Significant variations in the number
Highlights
The immune response of HIV-infected individuals shapes the evolution of the virus by selecting escape mutation
The majority (84%) of the escape mutations to the donor’s HLA alleles persisted in time after transmission without reversion, even in the absence of the selecting HLA allele
We studied 6 transmission events between members of serodiscordant couples collecting blood samples from the donor and the previously seronegative-partner at the moment of seroconversion, and a second sample at least 6 months post-infection
Summary
The immune response of HIV-infected individuals shapes the evolution of the virus by selecting escape mutation. After transmission to a new host, the HLA-mediated immune pressure changes. The objective of our study was to characterize the dynamics of HLA-anchor escape mutations after transmission. Present in the second sample and absent in the subtype consensus, a mean 79,8% were already present in the first sample of the recipient and in the sample of the donors. The majority (84%) of the escape mutations to the donor’s HLA alleles persisted in time after transmission without reversion, even in the absence of the selecting HLA allele
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