Polymorphisms in the CD4 Gene and their Impact on Gene Expression in HIV-Positive Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Introduction: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that targets the immune system, attacking (cluster of differentiation 4) CD4 plus T cells, which is a crucial component of the body’s defense.). CD4 plus T cells, also known as helper T cells, play a crucial role in orchestrating an immune response by sending signals to other immune cells to act against infections. The relationship between HIV and the CD4 receptor is central to the life cycle of the virus. HIV infects the host by binding to the CD4 receptor on the surface of the T cells. This binding occurs through the viral envelope protein (gp120), which attaches to the CD4 receptor. Once bound, the virus undergoes a conformational change, allowing the virus to interact with a coreceptor, usually CCR5 or CXCR4, on the host cell surface. This mechanism orchestrates the fusion of the virus membrane with the host membrane, allowing the viral RNA to enter the cell.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate polymorphisms in the CD4 gene and its impact on HIV infection and gene expression in Iraqi HIV patients.

Result: The study aimed to investigate polymorphisms in the CD4 gene and its expression in HIV-positive patients through a two-step molecular analysis. Initially, whole blood samples were collected from HIV-positive patients and controls, followed by genomic DNA extraction using a kit, with quality assessed via fluorometer and gel electrophoresis. Specific regions of the CD4 gene were amplified using PCR, and the products were verified on agarose gel before undergoing Sanger sequencing to identify the SNPs and allelic variations. Subsequently, total RNA was extracted from the blood samples, with its quality assessed similarly. The RNA was converted into cDNA, and quantitative PCR was performed to measure CD4 gene expression levels, normalized to a housekeeping gene, allowing for measurement of gene expression levels between patient and control groups.

Conclusion: Of the 5 SNPs found to be present on the CD4 gene only two were found to have a significant frequency, while only one was found to have a statistical relation with HIV progression. No significance was found between the 5 SNPs and the expression of CD4 in the patients compared to the control group.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202643

How to cite this article:
Jaddo M I, Utba N M. Polymorphisms in the CD4 Gene and their Impact on Gene Expression in HIV-Positive Iraqi Patients. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(2):176-181.