Antiviral molecules correlate with vitamin D pathway genes and are associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection

Microbes Infect. 2016 Jul-Aug;18(7-8):510-6. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2016.03.015. Epub 2016 Apr 12.

Abstract

The relationship between the immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D (VitD) and the expression of anti-HIV-1 molecules has not been explored in HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs). Higher mRNA levels of cathelicidin and HAD-4 in oral-mucosa and peripheral-blood, along with higher CYP24A1 mRNA in vaginal-mucosa and lower TLR2 mRNA in endocervical-mucosa were found in HESNs compared to non-exposed controls. Furthermore, the mRNA of anti-HIV molecules Elafin, TRIM5, Cathelicidin, HAD-4 and RNase7, previously associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection, positively correlated with the mRNA expression of VDR in HESNs, suggesting the potential participation of VitD in natural resistance to HIV-1.

Keywords: Antiviral agents; HIV-1; HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs); Natural resistance to HIV-1; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Immunologic Factors / genetics
  • Immunologic Factors / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitamin D / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Vitamin D