INFLUENCE OF COMBINATIONS OF HUMAN MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX GENES ON THE COURSE OF HIV-1 INFECTION

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes (HLA in humans) regulate the immune response to foreign antigens. Molecular and serologic techn iques were used to identify products of HLA class I, class II and tran sporter (TAP) genes (also part of the MHC) in homosexual seroconverter s to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Comprehensive statis tical analysis produced an HLA profile that predicted time from HIV-1 infection to the onset of AIDS. The profile was developed in a cohort of 139 men and evaluated in a second unrelated cohort of 102 men. In t he evaluation cohort, the profile discriminated a sixfold difference b etween groups with the shortest and longest times to AIDS (P = 0.001). These findings support current theory about control of antigen proces sing by HLA genes and have implications for immunopathogenesis of HIV- 1 and other infections.