Journal Article

Immunogenetic Profile Associated with Patients Living with HIV-1 and Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) in the Brazilian Amazon Region

França, Eliane dos Santos, Pereira, Leonn Mendes Soares, Monteiro, Talita Antonia Furtado, Ramos, Francisco Lúzio de Paula, Macedo, Olinda, Vallinoto, Antonio Carlos Rosário, Santos e Santos, Carolinne de Jesus, Nogami, Patrícia Yuri, Santana-da-Silva, Mayara Natália, Freitas, Felipe Bonfim, Costa, Iran Barros, Freire, Amaury Bentes Cunha, Brasil-Costa, Igor, Sousa, Rita Catarina Medeiros

2024

Overview

Viral coinfection among HIV-positive patients, coupled with the development of AIDS, remains a major public health problem. The synergism between the presence of HIV and other viruses has consequences in relation to changes in the severity of the infection, as well as changes in the natural course of both infections. Several polymorphisms present in genes that encode cytokines have a relevant influence on their transcription and consequently on the production of such immunological molecules. The present study evaluated the influence of SNPs located in the promoter regions of genes encoding the cytokines INF-ɣ, TNF, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2, as well as their respective plasma concentrations, in patients infected with HIV and/or EBV in the state of Pará. Additionally, this study described the epidemiological profile and compared CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts among the groups studied. The associative analysis between the SNPs and plasma cytokine concentrations in different groups showed statistical relevance for three polymorphisms: rs2069762 (IL2), where the GG genotype demonstrated higher IL-2 levels in HIV mono-infected individuals; rs2243250 (IL4), where the CT genotype showed higher IL-4 levels in the control group; and rs2069705 (IFNG), where the TT genotype showed higher IFN-γ levels in the coinfected group. Regarding SNP associations with CD4+/CD8+ counts, significant findings were observed in HIV mono-infected individuals: the rs2069705 (IFNG) polymorphism was linked to higher CD4+ counts with the CT genotype, and rs1799964 (TNF) was associated with higher CD8+ counts with the CC genotype. Therefore, this study provides evidence that the rs2069705 (IFNG) SNP is associated with elevated IFN-γ levels, which may have pathogenic consequences, as depletion of this cytokine is concerning for people living with HIV due to its antiviral properties.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / Adult / Age groups / AIDS / Amazonia / Antiviral activity / Antiviral agents / Antiviral drugs / Asymptomatic / B cells / Brazil - epidemiology / CD4 antigen / CD4 Lymphocyte Count / CD8 antigen / CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology / Coinfection - genetics / Coinfection - immunology / Coinfection - virology / Cytokines / Cytokines - blood / Cytokines - genetics / Development and progression / EBV / Epidemiology / Epstein-Barr virus / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - genetics / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - immunology / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology / Evaluation / Female / Gene polymorphism / Genetic aspects / Genotype / Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics / Herpesvirus 4, Human - immunology / HIV / HIV (Viruses) / HIV infection / HIV Infections - complications / HIV Infections - genetics / HIV Infections - immunology / HIV Infections - virology / HIV patients / HIV-1 - genetics / HIV-1 - immunology / Human gammaherpesvirus 4 / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Immune system / Immunogenetics / Immunology / Infection / Infections / Infectious diseases / Interleukin 2 / Interleukin 4 / interleukin-6 / Lymphocytes / Lymphocytes T / Lymphoma / Male / Males / Middle Aged / mixed infection / Mononucleosis / Mortality / Patients / Physiological aspects / Plasma / polymorphism / Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Public health / Rankings / Serology / single nucleotide / Single nucleotide polymorphisms / Single-nucleotide polymorphism / synergism / T-lymphocytes / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF / Young Adult / γ-Interferon