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Monitoring Changes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells upon Viral Infection Using Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analysis
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Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with endothelial dysfunction in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients

Isabel Fernández de Castro1, Dariela Micheloud, Juan Berenguer

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda,Madrid, Spain.

AIDS (London, England)
|July 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

HIV and HCV coinfection elevates adhesion molecules, particularly with HCV genotype 1 and advanced fibrosis. Treatment with interferon-alpha and ribavirin may reduce these markers, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • HIV/HCV coinfection is a significant global health issue.
  • Adhesion molecules like sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 are implicated in cardiovascular disease.
  • Understanding their role in coinfection is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.
  • To examine the association of these markers with clinical and epidemiological characteristics.
  • To assess their relationship with therapeutic response to interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cross-sectional study design.
  • Inclusion of 183 treatment-naive HIV/HCV coinfected patients on HAART and 24 healthy controls.
  • Analysis of 30 patients undergoing 48-week interferon-alpha + ribavirin therapy.

Main Results:

  • Elevated sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were observed in HIV/HCV coinfected patients compared to controls.
  • Higher levels correlated significantly with HCV genotype 1, advanced fibrosis (F≥3), and elevated liver enzymes.
  • Non-responders to therapy exhibited higher adhesion molecule levels, while sustained responders showed significantly lower levels.

Conclusions:

  • HIV/HCV coinfection alters serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, particularly in patients with HCV genotype 1 and advanced liver disease.
  • Therapeutic response to interferon-alpha + ribavirin may lead to a reduction in these cardiovascular risk markers.
  • These findings highlight the potential of treatment to mitigate cardiovascular risks in coinfected individuals.
Abstract

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