RESEARCH ARTICLE


Genetic and Immunological Factors Involved in Natural Resistance to HIV-1 Infection



Natalia Taborda-Vanegas, Wildeman Zapata, María Teresa Rugeles*
Group of Immunovirology, University of Antioquia, Calle 62 # 52-59, Medellin, Colombia

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2011
Volume: 5
First Page: 35
Last Page: 43
Publisher Id: TOVJ-5-35
DOI: 10.2174/1874357901105010035

Article History:

Received Date: 11/11/2010
Revision Received Date: 24/2/2011
Acceptance Date: 8/3/2011
Electronic publication date: 11/5/2011
Collection year: 2011

© Taborda-Vanegas et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Group of Immunovirology, University of Antioquia, Calle 62 # 52-59, Lab 532, Medellín, Colombia; Tel: 57-4-2196482; Fax; 57-4-2196482; E-mail: mtrugel@catios.udea.edu.co


Abstract

Infection with Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) induces severe alterations of the immune system leading to an increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignancies. However, exposure to the virus does not always results in infection. Indeed, there exist individuals who have been repeatedly exposed to HIV-1 but do not exhibit clinical or serological evidence of infection, known as exposed seronegative individuals. Many studies have focused on the different mechanisms involved in natural resistance to HIV-1 infection, and have reported several factors associated with this phenomenon, including the presence of genetic polymorphisms in the viral coreceptors, innate and adaptive immune cells with particular phenotypic and functional features, and molecules such as antibodies and soluble factors that play an important role in defense against infection by HIV-1. The study of these factors could be the key for controlling this viral infection. This review summarizes the main mechanisms involved in resistance to HIV-1 infection.

Keywords: HIV-1 (Human immunodeficiency virus type-1), natural resistance, exposed seronegative individuals, polymorphisms, antibodies, soluble factors..