Association of -308 TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism with viral load and CD4 T-helper cell apoptosis in HIV-1 infected black South Africans

Objective. To determine whether the -308 TNF-á promoter polymorphism is associated with markers of HIV progression in the South African population. Methods. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the -308 TNF-á polymorphism in 75 patients and 76 healthy controls. Serum TNF-á concentrations were measured using ELISA in each cohort. CD4+ T cell apoptosis and HIV-1 RNA viral load were determined using Annexin-V-FITC assay and Nuclisens Easy Q HIV-1 assay respectively. CD4 + T cell counts were measured flow cytometrically. Results. The frequency of -308 G allele was similar in the HIV-1 and control cohorts. The -308GG genotype was associated with lower TNF-á concentrations and markers of increased HIV progression indicated by higher TH lymphocyte apoptosis, lower TH lymphocyte count and higher plasma viral load, irrespective of treatment. Conclusion. The presence of the TNF-á -308 G allele in HIV-1 patients may be associated with increased risk of HIV-1 progression. Further research is required to investigate the nature of this association.