Involvement of HLA in Serum Beta-2 Microglobulin levels among Mumbai HIV-1 Patients

HLA allele involves along with B-2 microglobulin (B2M) and T cell receptor in host specific immune response. HLA alleles are known for its extensive polymorphism in order to accommodate the maximum of antigenic peptides. Serum beta-2 microglobulin has been reported to have a prognostic value for predicting disease progression in HIV patients. In this study, we evaluated the serum B2M levels and the HLA profile among the 124 HIV patients and 94 Normal healthy controls from Mumbai. The B2M levels were estimated by conventional ELISA technique while the HLA A and HLA B were done using PCR – SSOP molecular kits. Our results revealed that HIV patients showed increased B2M levels (88.70%) range (2.5ug/ml – 60ug/ml) compared the controls (42.55%). HLA A*11:01:01 (OR=3.25; P value 0.0015), HLA B*35:01:01 OR=3.57;P value 0.0002), HLA B*44:03:01 (OR=5.32; P value 0.0036), haplotypes HLA A*11:01:01- B*35:01:01 (OR=5.68; P value 2.47E-05), HLA A*33:03:01- B* 44:03:01 (OR=19.95; P value 0.0003) were significantly increased among the B2M increased HIV patients. While HLA A*03:01:01:01(OR=0.18; P value 0.0061) was significantly decreased among B2M increased HIV patients. Our results reveal that the production of serum B2M levels correlates with the HIV disease progression. Therefore it could be of a prognostic value in HIV infection.