Progression of HIV Infection Is Associated with HLA-DQ Antigens in Caucasians and African Americans

In our previous work with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, African Americans (Afr Ams) and Caucasians (Caucs) exhibited HLA markers that were associated with protection or disease. The present study was designed to establish if HLAs were associated with the severity of HIV infection and progression to AIDS in Afr Am and Cauc adults. The frequency of serologically determined antigens (Ags) in the regional control population was compared to the HIV-infected population and the HIV-infected slow progressors were compared to rapid progressors by race, χ2 analysis with Bonferroni adjustment, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, linear logistic regression, Cox model of proportional hazards and standardized deltas were applied as applicable. Immune parameters were monitored over a mean follow-up period of 23 ± 2 months for Afr Ams (n = 35) and 25 ± 5 months for Caucs (n = 24). A better prognosis in the HIV+ Afr Am group was associated with HLA-DQ 1 with a risk ratio of 0.295. In the HIV+ Cauc group, a preferable prognosis was associated with HLA-DQ 3 with a risk ratio of 0.11, and a poor prognosis was associated with HLA-DQ2 with a risk ratio of 7. Afr Am haplotypes that appeared to have the greatest association with rapid progression of HIV infection were A69(28)-B40 and related haplotypes as well as B12-DR14(6). Cauc haplotypes with the strongest association with rapid and slow progression of HIV infection were A28-B17-DR9 and A30(19)-B67, respectively. The DR Ags of at least one haplotype that led to rapid progression in both races were associated with DQ9(3). An ‘immune response’ gene (DQ region) may control the progression of HIV infection in adults. The rapidly progressive DQ-associated peptide might block the progression of HIV if given as a novel vaccine.