The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines null promoter variant does not influence HIV-1 acquisition or disease progression.

Ma’am – We read with great interest the article by He et al. [2008] describing the effects on HIV acquisition and disease progression of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs2814778, -46T→C) that disrupts the promoter region of the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) gene and abolishes gene expression in red blood cells. He et al. reported that HIV-infected African Americans have a frequency of the null homozygous genotype (-46C/C) of 70% while non-HIV infected individuals have a null genotype frequency of 60%. Based on this frequency difference they argued that the null allele confers susceptibility to infection with HIV-1. They also reported that the null genotype is associated with better outcomes amongst those who do become infected, including longer survival, slower loss of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, and delayed progression to HIV-associated dementia.

Duke Scholars

Author Barton Ford Haynes Medicine, Duke Human Vaccine Institute