Interferon alpha-inducible protein 27 (IFI27) expression is linked to disease severity in chronic infection of both HIV-1 and HIV-2

To explore if specific host responses are linked to HIV disease severity, we here investigated blood gene expression profiles comparing different progressor groups, including those with HIV-1, HIV-2 or HIV-1/HIV-2 dual infection and HIV seronegative individuals. We found interferon alpha-inducible protein 27 (IFI27) to be the most strongly, and significantly, upregulated gene in HIV infected, compared with HIV seronegative, individuals. The expression of IFI27 was higher in HIV-1, compared with HIV-2, infected individuals and correlated with both plasma viral load (pVL) and CD4% levels. Whole blood was collected in PAXgene Blood RNA tubes from individuals with mono HIV-1 or HIV-2, or dual HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection, and from HIV seronegative controls. Samples from 8 individuals in each group (7 individuals for HIV-2) were analyzed.