Abstract:

This study aims to explore the protective immunity against HIV by studying HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals in the Indian subcontinent. The association of protective KIR/HLA alleles and HIV pathogenesis has been reported, and this research intends to create a novel genomic resource for assessing immune response implications and designing HIV drugs or vaccines. The objectives involve investigating the impact of KIR/HLA genotypes on HIV-1 acquisition and disease progression, as well as studying NK cell response differences with and without protective KIR/HLA genotypes. By analysing stored samples from HESN and seroconvertors cohorts, the study aims to identify protective genotypes and factors associated with NK cell functionality to enhance innate immune response to HIV-1 infection.