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Viral genetic variation accounts for a third of variability in HIV-1 set-point viral load in Europe

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Blanquart François, Wymant Chris, Cornelissen Marion, Gall Astrid, Bakker Margreet, Bezemer Daniela, Hall Matthew, Hillebregt Mariska, Ong Swee Hoe, Albert Jan, Bannert Norbert, Fellay Jacques, Fransen Katrien, Gourlay Annabelle J., Grabowski M. Kate, Gunsenheimer-Bartmeyer Barbara, Günthard Huldrych F., Kivelä Pia, Kouyos Roger, Laeyendecker Oliver, Liitsola Kirsi, Meyer Laurence, Porter Kholoud, Ristola Matti, et al.,
Project Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS)
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Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal PLOS Biology
Volume (Issue) 15(6)
Page(s) e2001855 - e2001855
Title of proceedings PLOS Biology
DOI 10.1371/journal.pbio.2001855

Open Access

URL http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2001855
Type of Open Access Publisher (Gold Open Access)

Abstract

HIV-1 set-point viral load—the approximately stable value of viraemia in the first years of chronic infection—is a strong predictor of clinical outcome and is highly variable across infected individuals. To better understand HIV-1 pathogenesis and the evolution of the viral population, we must quantify the heritability of set-point viral load, which is the fraction of variation in this phenotype attributable to viral genetic variation. However, current estimates of heritability vary widely, from 6% to 59%. Here we used a dataset of 2,028 seroconverters infected between 1985 and 2013 from 5 European countries (Belgium, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) and estimated the heritability of set-point viral load at 31% (CI 15%–43%). Specifically, heritability was measured using models of character evolution describing how viral load evolves on the phylogeny of whole-genome viral sequences. In contrast to previous studies, (i) we measured viral loads using standardized assays on a sample collected in a strict time window of 6 to 24 months after infection, from which the viral genome was also sequenced; (ii) we compared 2 models of character evolution, the classical “Brownian motion” model and another model (“Ornstein–Uhlenbeck”) that includes stabilising selection on viral load; (iii) we controlled for covariates, including age and sex, which may inflate estimates of heritability; and (iv) we developed a goodness of fit test based on the correlation of viral loads in cherries of the phylogenetic tree, showing that both models of character evolution fit the data well. An overall heritability of 31% (CI 15%–43%) is consistent with other studies based on regression of viral load in donor–recipient pairs. Thus, about a third of variation in HIV-1 virulence is attributable to viral genetic variation.
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