Association of the rs4143815 polymorphism of PDL1 gene with HTLV‐1 infection and proviral load in asymptomatic blood donors in northeast Iran

It is obvious that genetic differences, including mutations and polymorphisms, can play an important role in viral infections. In this case–control study, which included 81 human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) asymptomatic carriers (AC) and 162 healthy controls (HC), the rs4143815 polymorphism of PDL1 gene was investigated. This polymorphism is the site of miR‐570 binding and it can influence immune system responses. The rs4143815 polymorphism was evaluated by allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (AS‐PCR) and the proviral load levels by quantitative real‐time PCR (q PCR). The results demonstrated that the C allele (P = 0.027) and the CC genotype (P = 0.031) of rs4143815 polymorphism was significantly higher in the AC group than in the HC group, also the proviral load in the AC group with the C allele (P = 0.020) was significantly higher. Thus, the rs4143815 polymorphism can play a vital role in HTLV‐1 infection