Mhc haplotype H6 is associated with sustained control of SIVmac251 infection in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques.

The restricted diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques provides powerful opportunities for insight into host-viral interactions and cellular immune responses that restrict lentiviral infections. However, little is known about the effects of Mhc haplotypes on control of SIV in this species. Using microsatellite-based genotyping and allele-specific PCR, Mhc haplotypes were deduced for 35 macaques infected with the same stock of SIVmac251. Class I haplotype H6 was associated with a reduction in chronic phase viraemia (p = 0.0145) while a similar association was observed for H6 class II (p = 0.0063). An increase in chronic phase viraemia, albeit an insignificant trend, was observed in haplotype H5-positive animals. These results further emphasise the value of genetically defined populations of non-human primates in AIDS research and provide a foundation for detailed characterisation of MHC restricted cellular immune responses and the effects of host genetics on SIV replication in cynomolgus macaques.