Inflammation, immune activation, and cardiovascular disease in HIV

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in people with HIV.
• HIV-infected individuals have a higher risk of myocardial infarction and stroke than uninfected individuals.
• While traditional risk factors play a role, HIV-specific factors, particularly systemic inflammation, contribute to increased CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence linking inflammation and CVD in people living with HIV.
• To discuss the multifactorial causes of sustained immune activation despite antiretroviral therapy.
• To explore potential anti-inflammatory treatment strategies for cardiometabolic disease in this population.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epidemiological studies and immunological research.
• Analysis of the relationship between inflammatory markers and CVD incidence.
• Synthesis of current understanding of HIV-related inflammation.

Main Results:

• Elevated inflammatory markers persist in people with HIV, even with effective antiretroviral therapy.
• Systemic inflammation is a significant contributor to the heightened CVD risk in this population.
• The precise mechanisms driving sustained inflammation in HIV are complex and not fully elucidated.

Conclusions:

• Inflammation plays a critical role in the elevated cardiovascular disease burden among people living with HIV.
• Further research into the causes of persistent inflammation is needed.
• Targeting inflammation may offer promising therapeutic avenues for preventing and treating cardiometabolic disease in people with HIV.