Polymorphism in interleukin-7 receptor a gene is associated with faster CD4+ T-cell recovery after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy

Objectives: To investigate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL7RA) as predictors for CD4(+) T-cell change after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-infected whites. Design: SNPs in IL7RA were determined in the Danish HIV Cohort Study. Methods: CD4(+) T-cell changes were estimated 6months, 1, 2, and 5 years after initiation of cART in 1683 HIV-infected virally suppressed individuals. Five SNPs in IL7RA were examined as predictors for CD4(+) T-cell change in the first (0-6 months after initiation of cART) and second phase (>6 months after initiation of cART) of immune recovery. Univariable and multivariable analyses including age, sex, calendar period, CD4(+) nadir, and baseline CD4(+) T-cell count and viral load as covariates were performed. Results: Individuals carrying two T-alleles in rs6897932 had faster CD4(+) T-cell recovery compared with individuals carrying a C-allele in the first phase of immune recovery [mean CD4(+) T-cell change, cells/mL (95% confidence interval), in TT: 177 (151-203), CT: 131 (119-143), CC: 141 (132-151), P 0.018]. No isolated effect of rs6897932 on CD4(+) T-cell change was found in the second phase of immune recovery; however, the initial difference in CD4(+) T-cell recovery remained during 5 years. The effect was most pronounced in individuals above 40 years of age. Conclusion: T-allele homozygosity in rs6897932 is a predictor for faster CD4(+) T-cell recovery after initiation of cART in HIV-infected whites, however, only in the first phase of immune recovery. (C) 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins