Rhaman Ademelu poster

GENE DIVERSITY OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE DOMAINS AMONG SOME ETHNIC GROUPS IN AFRICA; IMPLICATION FOR HIV VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

Ahmed Rahaman A., Adekoya Khalid and Okoli Victoria

Medical Genetics Unit, Cell Biology and Genetics Department, University of Lagos, Nigeria

 Identification of vaccine-compatible antibodies capable of eliciting absolute protection against HIV infection is a global quest. Africa representation in the antibody gene databases is however low and may have implications in the global development of a quality and efficient HIV vaccine. Sequencing of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (IGHV) was performed on 28 HIV infected subjects in Zulu ethnic group of South Africa, 123 novel alleles were identified and at least 8 were functional against HIV infection. This suggests that novel functional immunoglobulin gene variants are embedded in Africa population. We therefore want to explore antibody gene diversity in Nigeria being the largest population in Africa and with diverse heterogeneous ethnic groups. Illumina MiSeq will be used to sequence the entire rearranged antigen naïve variable chain gene repertoires in 105 subjects from three major ethnic groups of Nigeria; Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. IgDiscover bioinformatics tool will be used to identify novel and known germline variable and joining antibody gene segments. Expected outcome of this extended study includes identification of large and diverse alleles, bulk of which may be missing in the public immunoglobulin databases. Novel alleles will further be assessed for functional HIV antigenic responses. This study will contribute to general knowledge of antibody especially towards utilization for a quality HIV vaccine development and other infectious diseases. It will also be of great importance to the Antibodyomics project which is aimed to provide holistic and cross-sectional information on human antibodies especially against HIV infection.

Presenter: Mr. Rahaman Ademolu Ademolu

Medical Genetics Unit, Cell Biology and Genetics Department, University of Lagos, Nigeria