A genetic factor that influences risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy has been investigated in a recent article published in Journal of Translational Medicine.
Author Elisabetta Ricci et al studied 300 children (118 HIV-1 infected and 182 HIV-1 uninfected) born to HIV-1 infected mothers. None of the mothers had received anti-retroviral drugs during pregnancy. While it is known that such factors as maternal viral load and mode of delivery influences the risk of maternal transmission, the researchers investigated one genetic parameter as well.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins found among immune cells. (They are named for a similar gene in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster).They recognize and bind to molecules that are common among many types of pathogens. Since activation of the immune cell after binding serves to initiate a defense against many different pathogens, they are integral in 'innate immunity' that protects us against an array of bacteria and viruses.
The scientists investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (small variations in the Toll-like receptor 9) and concluded that certain genetic variations among the children significantly increased the risk of becoming infected than others. The children varied in innate immunity to the virus due to the type of variation of the Toll-like receptor.
The authors speculate that this data confirms "a critical role of innate immunity in perinatal HIV-1 infection. Strategies aimed at modulating innate immunity might be useful for future treatment of pediatric HIV-1 infection and AIDS."
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