Identification of the CCR5-Delta32 HIV resistance allele and new mutations of the CCR5 gene in different Tunisian populations

Hum Immunol. 2007 Dec;68(12):993-1000. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2007.10.003. Epub 2007 Oct 30.

Abstract

Polymorphisms in some chemokine receptor genes are associated with susceptibility to and progression of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Most mutations detected in the CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene are specific to different populations. In this study, we focused on polymorphisms of the CCR5 coding region in three healthy populations from Tunisia, corresponding to a cosmopolitan population from Tunis, and two isolated Berber populations. In addition to the CCR5-Delta32 deletion, eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. Some of these point mutations were associated with the same genotype and even the same haplotype. The (L55Q-C101X), I124, V131F, T143N, A159V, I237, T239A and G301R alleles have not been described previously, whereas the CCR5-Delta32, L55Q, A335V and Y339F variants have already been reported in the literature. The distribution and frequency of these variants were different among the three groups studied, a result in agreement with the mosaic genetic structure of the Tunisian population. To determine whether these alleles affect HIV-1 transmission, we compared allele frequencies between healthy and HIV-1 infected individuals from Tunis. The frequency of the CCR5-Delta32 variant was significantly different between the two groups, leading us to conclude that this mutation might confer protection against HIV infection in Tunisian populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / genetics*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1*
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Receptors, CCR5 / genetics*
  • Tunisia

Substances

  • Receptors, CCR5