HLA-G 3′-untranslated region polymorphisms are associated with HTLV-1 infection, proviral load and HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis development

Most human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected patients remain asymptomatic throughout life. The factors associated with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) development have not been fully elucidated; immunological and genetic factors may be involved. The association of 14 bp INS/DEL HLA-G polymorphism with HTLV-1 infection susceptibility has been reported previously. Here, other polymorphic sites at the HLA-G 3-UTR (14-bp D/I, + 3003C/T, + 3010C/G, + 3027A/C, + 3035C/T, + 3142C/G, + 3187A/G and + 3196C/G) were evaluated in 37 HTLV-1-infected individuals exhibiting HAM/TSP, 45 HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers (HAC) and 153 uninfected individuals, followed up at University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was observed that: (i) 14bpDI genotype is a risk factor for HTLV-1 infection, while the 14bpDD and +3142CC genotypes were associated with protection against infection; (ii) the +3142C allele and the +3003CT and +3142CC genotypes were associated with susceptibility, while 14bpII and +3003TT genotypes were associated with protection against HAM/TSP development; and (iii) the 14bpII, +3010CC, +3142GG and +3187AA genotypes were associated with lower HTLV-1 proviral load compared to respective counterpart genotypes. Findings that HLA-G has a well-recognized immunomodulatory role and that the genetic variability at HLA-G 3-UTR may post-transcriptionally modify HLA-G production indicate a differential genetic susceptibility to: (i) the development of HTLV-1 infection, (ii) the magnitude of HTLV-1 proviral load and (iii) HAM/TSP development.