HLA-C – A New Factor Influencing HIV Disease Progression

Specific alleles at HLA class I locus have shown astrong association with nonprogressive HIV disease inlong-term nonprogressors (LTNP) and elite controllers.This is most likely due to an enhanced T-cell immune response,thanks to more adequate presentation of antigenicepitopes to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In thisregard, HLA-B antigens instead of HLA-A or HLA-C havebeen the main focus of research (Gao, et al. Nat Med.2005;11:1290-2; Kiepiela, et al. Nature. 2004;432:769-75).HIV epitopes restricted by HLA-B*5701 or HLA-B*2703generate a better response than those restricted by otheralleles (Migueles, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.2000;97:2709-14; Balla-Jhagjhoorsingh, et al. J Immunol.1999;162:2308-14).