Perinatal transmission accounts for more than 90 percent of HIV-infection in children. A thorough understanding of the molecular and genetics mechanisms of the host immune gene response (such as chemokines, cytokines, HLA polymorphisms) effecting the pathogens and transmission consequences of host-HIV-1 interactions is essential to all aspects of public health for diagnostic, transmission, and prevention strategies. This study is designed to understand the mutational role of HLA-G gene that make HIV-1 infected women more (or less likely) to transmit virus to her infant. HLA-G is non-classical class 1 MHC gene and it is highly expressed in extravillous cytotrophoblast at the maternal fetal interface.
Specific aim : To further examine the potential role (s) of the mutation in HLA-G exon 2, which was previously associated to reduced risk in perinatal transmission (Aikhionbare, AIDS 2001,15: 2196-8) and any mutation(s) in HLA-G untranslated region in DNA samples obtained from both Project RETRO-C1, 01 BP 1712, 10 Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire and Perinatal AIDS Collaborative Transmission Study (PACTS), for possibly increase or decrease in the susceptibility of a neonate to HIV-1- perinatal transmission. Approach: DNA samples will be obtained from HIV-1-infected and uninfected mother-child pairs followed as part of Project RETRO-C1, 01 BP 1712, 10 Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire and Perinatal AIDS Collaborative Transmission Study will be screened by the following techniques: WAVETM Nucleic Acid Fragment Analysis, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP), followed by DNA cloning/sequencing. Molecular data from this study will be subjected to Fisher's exact test, Maximum likelihood, Linked disequilibrum parameter, Odd ratio, Relative risk analysis to groups value. Results will furnish new insights into the basic mechanisms of the viral pathogenesis in AIDS, especially the contribution of certain host genetic factors to HIV-1 perinatal infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03HD044408-02
Application #
6707003
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-1 (01))
Program Officer
Ryan, Kevin W
Project Start
2003-06-01
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2004-06-01
Budget End
2005-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$71,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Morehouse School of Medicine
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
102005451
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30310