Date of Award

1-1-2011

Embargo Period

4-14-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Microbiology and Immunology

College

College of Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Janardan Pandey

Second Advisor

Emily Kistner-Griffin

Third Advisor

Carl Atkinson

Fourth Advisor

Natalie Sutkowski

Fifth Advisor

Shashidar Pai

Abstract

HIV is an infection affecting approximately 33 million people worldwide especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeastern Asia. HIV infection is marked by the loss of CD4+ T-cells and is the causative agent of AIDS. Host genetic factors have been shown to influence the progression and outcome of HIV infection, but the genes identified thus far account for approximately 15% of the variance observed in viral load and progression, suggesting involvement of additional genes in HIV pathogenesis. FcyRIIa and FcyRIIIa genotypes have been shown to be influential in the transmission, control, and progression of HIV. These receptors contain polymorphisms that influence binding affinity for their ligand, the Fe region of IgG. The Fc region is also highly polymorphic and could potentially contribute to the differences seen in control and progression. Yet, these polymorphisms, known as GM allotypes, have not been investigated. Determinants expressed on Fc (GM) and FcyR are probably some of the most likely ligand-receptor candidate pairs for gene-gene interactions in the human genome. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to determine whether particular GM and FcyRila, genotypes were individually or epistatically associated with the host control of HIV replication and progression of HIV to a low CD4+ T-cell count. This study suggests that while no GM allotype is influential by itself, particular combinations of FcyR-GM are influential in the control of HIV replication as well as the progression of HIV to a low CD4+ T-cell count.

Rights

Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.

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