The effects of RANTES polymorphisms on susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression: Evidence from an updated meta-analysis

Associations of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) -403G/A, -28C/G and In1.1T/C polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection and the progression of HIV-1 disease have been widely reported with inconsistent results. To clarify this situation, we performed an updated meta-analysis of all available studies from PubMed, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A total of 24 eligible studies involving more than 10,000 subjects were included. By using the healthy controls, we found that -403G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in G/A+A/A vs. GG (OR = 0.755, 95%CI = 0.581-0.982); and a significantly decreased risk was also found for -28C/G polymorphisms (G vs. C, OR = 0.804, 95%CI = 0.696-0.927; G/G+C/G vs. C/C, OR = 0.826, 95%CI = 0.704-0.969). Whereas, for In1.1T/C polymorphism, increased risk of HIV-1 infection was revealed (C vs. T, OR = 1.216, 95%CI = 1.047-1.430; T/C vs. T/T, OR = 1.68, 95%CI = 1.263-2.234; T/C+T/T VS. C/C, OR = 1.466, 95%CI = 1.147-1.875). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed significant association among Asians, but not among Caucasians. When HIV-1 exposed seronegative (HESN) controls were used, no significant association was detected. Moreover, -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms were also not associated with long-term non-progressive HIV-1 infection (all P > 0.05). This meta-analysis suggests that RANTES -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms confer possible protection against HIV-1 infection, whereas In1.1T/C polymorphism may increase risk of HIV-1 infection, especially in Asians. Theses results may contribute to finding a theoretical basis for effective control strategies against HIV/AIDS. Further investigations are needed to validate our conclusions.

• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
  • Other