close Icon

Polymorphisms in the CD14 and TLR4 genes independently predict CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

Yong YK, Shankar EM, Solomon A, Spelman T, Fairley CK, Elliott JH, Hoy J, Cameron PU, Kamarulzaman A, Lewin SR

VIEW FULL ARTICLE
  • Journal AIDS (London, England)

  • Published 19 Dec 2017

  • Volume 30

  • ISSUE 14

  • Pagination 2159-68

  • DOI 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001179

Abstract

Chronic HIV infection leads to marked depletion of CD4 T cells in the gastrointestinal tract and increased microbial translocation measured by an increase in circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Here, we hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14, the principal receptors for LPS, were associated with CD4 T-cell recovery postantiretroviral therapy (ART).

Prospective study of predominantly white HIV-infected participants receiving suppressive ART for at least 12 months. We analysed the CD14 SNPs C-260T and the TLR4 SNPs A+896G, C+1196T. We also determined the levels of LPS and soluble CD14 in plasma samples collected pre-ART and post-ART initiation. CD4 T-cell recovery was assessed by linear mixed models.

Following ART, individuals with a TT genotype compared with a CT or CC genotype for CD14 C-260T SNP showed higher levels of soluble CD14 (P = 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). The CC genotype for the CD14 C-260T SNP, compared with CT or TT, and the TLR4 SNP (AC/GT), compared with the homozygous genotype (AA/CC), were both independently associated with enhanced long-term CD4 T-cell recovery (>3 months; P < 0.001).

Polymorphisms in CD14 and TLR4 are independently associated with long-term CD4 T-cell recovery in HIV-infected individuals post-ART.