Autophagy-Enhancing ATG16L1 Polymorphism Is Associated with Improved Clinical Outcome and T Cell Immunity in Chronic HIV-1 Infection

Scientists demonstrated a protective role for autophagy in HIV-1 disease pathogenesis. Targeted analysis of genetic variation in core autophagy gene ATG16L1 revealed the previously unidentified rs6861 polymorphism, which correlated functionally with enhanced autophagy and clinically with improved survival of untreated HIV-1-infected individuals.