Author(s)

Florencia Wendkuuni Djigma^1,2*, Pegdwendé Abel Sorgho^1,2, Serge Théophile Soubeiga^1,2,3, Albert Théophane Yonli^1,2, Herman Karim Sombie^1,2, Isabelle Touwendpoulimdé Kiendrebeogo^1,2, Tégwindé Rebeca Compaore^1,2,3, Abdoul Karim Ouattara^1,2, Bapio V. J. T. Elvira Bazie^1,2, Bolni Marius Nagalo^1,2,4, Jacques Simpore^1,2

¹Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory (LABIOGENE), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University JOSEPH KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
²Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Center (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
³Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante (IRSS), Biomedical and Public health Department, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
⁴Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

Background: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes which play an important role in oxidative stress pathways by conjugation with glutathione. Oxidative stress is one of several risk factors that may be associated with many types of diseases progression such as cancer and infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated the association between the polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and the risk of HIV-1 disease progression. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 313 participants of Burkina Faso: 153 HIV-1 infected individuals on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 160 HIV-1 negative individuals as controls. Presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes was determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CD4⁺ T counts and HIV-1 viral load were measured in patients using respectively BD FACSCount and Abbott m2000rt instruments. Results: Frequencies of GSTM1-null and GSTT1-null were 30.35% and 35.46% respectively and the frequency of double deletion GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null was 14.38% in the general study population. GSTM1-null (30.35% versus 69.65%; OR = 1.90; p = 0.010), GSTT1-null (35.46% versus 64.54%; OR = 3.11; p < 0.001), GSTM1-active/GSTT1-null (21.08% versus 48.56%; OR = 3.17; p < 0.001) and the double deletion GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null (14.38% versus 48.56%; OR = 4.46; p < 0.001) were more present in cases group than controls and differences were significant. GSTM1-null and GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null were associated with increased odds of low CD4⁺ count (<350 cells/mm³) and high HIV-1 viral load (≥1000 copies/mL). Conclusion: GSTM1-null, GSTT1-null genotype, the double genotypes GSTM1-active/GSTT1-null and GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null were associated with HIV-1 disease progression and GSTM1-null and GSTM1- null/GSTT1-null genotypes were associated with low CD4⁺ T cells counts and high HIV-1 viral load in HIV-1infected patients on ART.

HIV-1, GSTM1, GSTT1, Burkina Faso

Djigma, F. , Sorgho, P. , Soubeiga, S. , Yonli, A. , Sombie, H. , Kiendrebeogo, I. , Compaore, T. , Ouattara, A. , Bazie, B. , Nagalo, B. and Simpore, J. (2020) Role of Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) Genes Deletion in Susceptibility to HIV-1 Disease Progression. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 8, 41-54. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2020.82004.