Host genetic polymorphisms associated with innate immune factors and HIV-1

Abstract

Purpose of review 

Our understanding of the early events in HIV-1 infection continues to grow, along with the heightened recognition of the important contribution that innate immunity plays in response to HIV-1. Here, we review the epidemiological and functional studies of genetic polymorphisms associated with innate immune factors that are believed to modulate host responses, focusing specifically on recent findings related to Toll-like receptor, cytokine, host restriction and KIR genes and their activities.

Recent findings 

A growing number of genomic studies have described polymorphisms in innate immune genes that are associated with early postseroconversion events, including TLR4, TLR9, IRF-3, TRIM5α and the ABOBEC3 gene family. Genetic and functional data confirm the importance of KIR–HLA interactions and provide new understanding of the role of innate restriction factors in resistance to HIV-1 and disease progression.

Summary 

Single-gene, genome-wide association and expression studies have permitted the identification of innate immune genes and their variants that contribute to protection from disease progression. Characterization of the pathogen–innate immune system interactions and discovery of new and rare host genetic variants that account for a portion of the observed variance in the HIV-1 phenotype is critical to gain new insights into promising treatment and prevention strategies.