Plasma Levels of Complement Factor I and C4b Peptides Are Associated with HIV Suppression.

Individuals who exhibit long-term HIV suppression and CD4 T-cell preservation without antiretroviral therapy are of great interest for HIV research. There is currently no robust method for rapid identification of these "HIV controller" subjects; however, HLA-B*57 (human leukocyte antigen (major histocompatibility complex), class I, B*57) genotype exhibits modest sensitivity for this phenotype. Complement C3b and C4b can influence HIV infection and replication, but studies have not examined their possible link to HIV controller status.