Using viral diversity to identify HIV-1 variants under HLA-dependent selection in a systematic viral genome-wide screen. PLoS Pathogens
HIV constantly evolves to escape the human immune system, particularly through interactions with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, which helps the body recognize and fight infections. Neuner-Jehle et al. developed a new method to systematically identify HIV mutations influenced by HLA pressure over time. Using 4’464 HIV genome sequences and 1’044 HLA genotypes from the SHCS, they analyzed how the virus mutates in response to immune selection and how these mutations affect viral load.
The study revealed key insights into HIV adaptation and immune escape:
- 98 HLA-HIV mutation pairs were identified, showing that specific HLA types drive predictable viral mutations over time.
- 12 of these mutations significantly influenced viral load, often making the virus more aggressive.
- Some mutations did not revert after transmission, meaning HIV is evolving in a way that may permanently alter its genetic makeup.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding how human genetics shape HIV evolution, with potential implications for:
- Vaccine development – Targeting virus regions that mutate less frequently under immune pressure.
- Personalized HIV treatment – Using HLA typing to predict disease progression and optimize therapies.
- Public health strategies – Anticipating which viral mutations will become more common in populations.
In conclusion, this study provides a powerful new approach to tracking HIV’s evolution and immune escape strategies, offering valuable insights for treatment and vaccine development.