Back to fellows
Profile Background
profile

Dr
Photini Kiepiela

Related fellows

Dr Moses Egesa

Dr Mercy Karoney

Assistant Lecturer

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Dr Olaposi Olatoregun

Deputy Project Director

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Dr Aida Sivro

Scientist

View
Show more
Profile EDCTP Fellowship 1

Project Title

Training in mucosal immunity and the evaluation of KIR:nHLA genes in HIV-1 clade c infection: key components to HIV vaccine design

EDCTP Project

TA.2008.40200.015

EDCTP Program

EDCTP1

EDCTP Project Call

Senior Fellowship (SF)

Project Objectives

To answer questions relating to the role of host HLA and KIR genotype as HLA class I contributes to both the innate and adaptive immune responses

Study Design

Laboratory analyses of HIV mucosal immunity and KIR:HLA genes

Host Organisation

Department Institution Country
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) South Africa

Results & Outcomes

KIR: HLA genotyping was performed on a total of 557 HIV-1 exposed individuals, 142 of whom acquired HIV-1 infection and 415 remained HIV-1 negative over a 2 year period. There was a higher frequency of 2DS2+C1 gene combination in HIV-1 infected individuals compared to HIV-1 exposed seronegative (59%vs48%) and those individuals harbouring this KIR: HLA ligand combination were 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV-1 infection. Certain KIR: HLA ligand associations (2DS2+C1) are significantly linked with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Four successful e-learning workshops were conducted at which 74 postgraduate students were trained. A “HDI” (Host Defense Interactions http://hdi.bio-med.ch) portal was established in collaboration with Prof JP Kreahenbuhl from HSeT.