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Journals / Experimed / 2026 / Volume: 16 Issue: 2

Role of HLA-B Leader Peptides and HLA-E Genetic Variants in HIV Infection

Yeliz Ögret(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)0000-0001-9372-5474
Çiğdem Kekik Çınar(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)0000-0003-2098-381X
Arif Atahan Çagatay(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)0000-0002-3051-8199
Hayriye Şentürk Çiftçi(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)0000-0001-5160-5227
Kürşat Özdilli(ISTANBUL MEDIPOL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-7129-5024
Fatma Savran Oğuz(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)0000-0002-6018-8936
Journal
Experimed
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-08-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the HLA-B-21 signal peptide polymorphism may play a role in modulating HIV replication, whereas HLA-E polymorphisms alone appear to have a limited impact.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: This study assessed whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B signal peptide dimorphism at position −21 (HLA-B-21) Methionine/Threonine (M/T) and HLA-E polymorphisms are associated with the level of viremia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals from the Turkish population.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: The study cohort comprised 130 HIV–positive patients and 102 healthy controls.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the HLA-B-21 signal peptide polymorphism may play a role in modulating HIV replication, whereas HLA-E polymorphisms alone appear to have a limited impact.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:HIV · HLA-B signal peptide · HLA-E polymorphism

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B signal peptide dimorphism at position −21 (HLA-B-21) Methionine/Threonine (M/T) and HLA-E polymorphisms are associated with the level of viremia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals from the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: The study cohort comprised 130 HIV–positive patients and 102 healthy controls. HLA typing was achieved through a next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based approach, and HLA-E alleles were determined by Sanger sequencing. HIV-1 level of viremia was measured using the COBAS Ampliprep/TaqMan system. Statistical evaluation included chi-square analysis, nonparametric techniques, and logistic regression modeling. Results: HLA-E*01:01 and the homozygous E*01:01 genotype were observed significantly more frequently in HIV–positive patients than in controls. No significant relationship was found between HLA-E alleles and viral load. The HLA-B*51:01 allele was significantly more frequent in patients with a higher viral load, whereas HLA-B*44:02 showed a similar trend without reaching statistical significance. In addition, the HLA-B-21 T/T genotype was significantly associated with higher viral load levels. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the HLA-B-21 signal peptide polymorphism may play a role in modulating HIV replication, whereas HLA-E polymorphisms alone appear to have a limited impact. This study provides novel immunogenetic data from the Turkish population and highlights the potential of HLA-B-21 polymorphism as a genetic marker influencing HIV disease progression.

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Cite This Article

Ögret, Y., Çınar, Ç. K., Çagatay, A. A., Çiftçi, H. Ş., Özdilli, K., Oğuz, F. S. (2026). Role of HLA-B Leader Peptides and HLA-E Genetic Variants in HIV Infection. Experimed, Volume: 16 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1887002

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