Heritability of the HIV-1 reservoir size and decay under long-term suppressive ART

Publication

Heritability of the HIV-1 reservoir size and decay under long-term suppressive ART

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 2, 2020

Wan Chenjie, Yerly Sabine, Battegay Manuel, Walti Laura, Calmy Alexandra, Vernazza Pietro, Bernasconi Enos, Cavassini Matthias, Metzner Karin J, Günthard Huldrych F, Kouyos Roger D, Klimkait Thomas, Perreau Matthieu, Böni Jürg, Bachmann Nadine, Mitov Venelin, Blanquart François, Céspedes Susana Posada, Turk Teja, Neumann Kathrin, Beerenwinkel Niko, Bogojeska Jasmina, Fellay Jacques, Roth Volker, Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Citation

Wan C, Yerly S, Battegay M, Walti L, Calmy A, Vernazza P, Bernasconi E, Cavassini M, Metzner K, Günthard H, Kouyos R, Klimkait T, Perreau M, Böni J, Bachmann N, Mitov V, Blanquart F, Céspedes S, Turk T, Neumann K, Beerenwinkel N, Bogojeska J, Fellay J, Roth V, Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Heritability of the HIV-1 reservoir size and decay under long-term suppressive ART. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5542.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Nat Commun 2020; 11

Publication Date

Nov 2, 2020

Issn Electronic

2041-1723

Pages

5542

Brief description/objective

The HIV-1 reservoir is the major hurdle to curing HIV-1. However, the impact of the viral genome on the HIV-1 reservoir, i.e. its heritability, remains unknown. We investigate the heritability of the HIV-1 reservoir size and its long-term decay by analyzing the distribution of those traits on viral phylogenies from both partial-pol and viral near full-length genome sequences. We use a unique nationwide cohort of 610 well-characterized HIV-1 subtype-B infected individuals on suppressive ART for a median of 5.4 years. We find that a moderate but significant fraction of the HIV-1 reservoir size 1.5 years after the initiation of ART is explained by genetic factors. At the same time, we find more tentative evidence for the heritability of the long-term HIV-1 reservoir decay. Our findings indicate that viral genetic factors contribute to the HIV-1 reservoir size and hence the infecting HIV-1 strain may affect individual patients' hurdle towards a cure.