Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
Associations between MHC class I and susceptibility to HIV-2 disease progression
Khady Diouf1, Abdoulaye Dieng Sarr, Geoffrey Eisen
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard AIDS Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B35 alleles are linked to faster human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) disease progression in Senegalese women. Understanding these genetic factors can help predict and manage HIV-2 infection risk.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection progresses slower than HIV-1, suggesting a greater role for host genetic factors in disease susceptibility.
- Identifying genetic determinants of HIV-2 disease progression is crucial for understanding viral pathogenesis and developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles and the risk of disease progression in HIV-2-infected individuals.
- To compare HLA profiles between HIV-2-infected individuals with high and low risk of disease progression in a Senegalese cohort.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 62 female sex workers in Dakar, Senegal.
- MHC class I genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP).
- Lack of antibodies to HIV-2 p26 antigen was used as a surrogate marker for higher disease progression risk.
Main Results:
- The HLA B35 allele and haplotypes B35-Cw4 and A23-Cw7 were significantly associated with a lack of p26 antibodies, indicating a higher risk of disease progression (p < 0.05).
- HLA B53 was associated with slower disease progression, though not statistically significant.
- A trend towards lower risk of HIV-2 disease progression in heterozygotes was observed, consistent with findings in HIV-1.
Conclusions:
- Specific HLA class I alleles and haplotypes influence disease progression in HIV-2 infection within the studied West African population.
- These findings highlight the importance of host genetic factors, particularly HLA profiles, in modulating HIV-2 pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Antigen Processing Pathways
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

