Characterization of mannose-binding lectin plasma levels and genetic polymorphisms in HIV-1-infected individuals Caracterização dos polimorfismos genéticos e dos níveis plasmáticos da lectina ligante de manose em indivíduos infectados pelo HIV-1

Introduction: The present study investigated the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphism and serum levels with infection by HIV-1. Methods: Blood samples (5mL) were collected from 97 HIV-1-infected individuals resident in Belem, State of Para, Brazil, who attended the Special Outpatient Unit for Infections and Parasitic Diseases (URE-DIPE). CD4 + T-lymphocyte count and plasma viral load were quantified. A 349bp fragment of exon 1 of the MBL was amplified via PCR, using genomic DNA extracted from controls and HIV-1-infected individuals, following established protocols. MBL plasma levels of the patients were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Results: Two alleles were observed: MBL*O, with a frequency of 26.3% in HIV-1-infected individuals; and the wild allele MBL*A (73.7%). Similar frequencies were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). Genotype frequencies were distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. Mean MBL plasma levels varied by genotype, with statistically significant differences between the AA and AO (p 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that MBL gene polymorphism or low plasma MBL concentrations might have a direct influence on HIV-1 infection, although a broader study involving a large number of patients is needed.