Open AccessA TRIM5α exon 2 polymorphism is associated with protection from HIV-1 infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort
Author(s) -
Heather E. Price,
Philip Lacap,
Jeffrey Tuff,
Charles Wachihi,
Joshua Kimani,
T. Blake Ball,
Ma Luo,
Francis A. Plummer
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
aids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.195
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1473-5571
pISSN - 0269-9370
DOI - 10.1097/qad.0b013e32833b5256
Subject(s) - cohort , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , exon , virology , medicine , sida , polymorphism (computer science) , cohort study , sex workers , genetics , biology , genotype , immunology , viral disease , gene , population , environmental health , research methodology
The innate immune component TRIM5alpha has the ability to restrict retrovirus infection in a species-specific manner. TRIM5alpha of some primate species restricts infection by HIV-1, whereas human TRIM5alpha lacks this specificity. Previous studies have suggested that certain polymorphisms in human TRIM5alpha may enhance or impair the proteins affinity for HIV-1. This study investigates the role of TRIM5alpha polymorphisms in resistance/susceptibility to HIV-1 within the Pumwani sex worker cohort in Nairobi, Kenya. A group of women within this cohort remain HIV-1-seronegative and PCR-negative despite repeated exposure to HIV-1 through active sex work.