TLR3 Polymorphisms in HIV-infected Individuals Naïve to ART

TLR3 polymorphisms affect the risk of HIV infection and modify the disease course. Consequently, we analyzed the association of TLR3 polymorphism (rs5743312, rs3775296, and rs3775291) with susceptibility to HIV-1 acquisition and disease progression.

This is a cross-sectional study. Genotyping of TLR3 polymorphisms is completed by utilizing the PCR-RFLP technique in 153 HIV naive subjects and 158 healthy controls.

A haplotype is a physical grouping of genomic variants that tend to be inherited together. The TCC haplotype was increased in HIV-infected individuals compared with healthy controls (0.05% versus 0.03%). TLR3 rs3775291CT genotype was associated with the early stage of HIV infection (OR = 2.19, P = 0.04), with a higher occurrence in the advanced stage of HIV infection when contrasted with healthy controls (41.2% versus 32.3%). TLR3 rs3775296 CA genotype was likely to be associated with the intermediate stage of HIV infection (19.5% versus 31.6%, OR = 0.42, P = 0.06). TLR3 rs5743312TT genotype was more prevalent in the advanced stage of HIV infection compared with healthy controls (2.9% versus 1.9%). TLR3 rs3775296CA genotype was less prevalent in HIV subjects devouring tobacco when contrasted with non-users (9.1% versus 34.9%, OR = 0.25, P = 0.09). TLR3 rs3775296AA and rs3775291CT and TT genotypes have been overrepresented in HIV subjects using alcohol when contrasted with non-users (5.6% versus 1.1%, OR = 1.83, P = 0.67; 50.0% versus 42.2%, OR = 1.84, P = 0.31; 5.6% versus 3.3%, OR = 2.70, P = 0.50). In the multivariate examination, the rs5743312TT genotype showed a greater risk for HIV infection (OR = 1.86, P = 0.50).

TLR3 rs3775291 C/T polymorphism may assist the risk of disease progression in alcohol consumers. TLR3 rs3775291 CT genotype may enhance the disease progression, whereas the TLR3 rs3775296 CA genotype may protect against disease progression.