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Published on: August 15, 2012
CD16-expressing monocytes correlate with arterial stiffness in HIV-infected ART-naïve men
Ling Luo1, Yang Han1, Xiaojing Song1
1a Department of Infectious Diseases , Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , Beijing , China.
Insights
Monocyte activation markers are linked to arterial stiffness in HIV-infected men not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Higher monocyte activation correlates with increased arterial stiffness, independent of viral load or CD4 count.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- HIV/AIDS research
- Immunology
Background:
- HIV infection is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Arterial stiffness is a predictor of cardiovascular events.
- Monocyte activation plays a role in inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between monocyte activation markers and arterial stiffness in HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve men.
- To identify specific markers of monocyte activation linked to arterial stiffness in this population.
Main Methods:
- Sixty HIV-infected ART-naïve men and 20 HIV-uninfected controls were studied.
- Arterial stiffness was measured using pulse wave velocity (PWV).
- Monocyte activation was assessed by CD16 expression, plasma neopterin, and tissue factor (TF) levels.
Main Results:
- HIV-infected ART-naïve men showed significantly higher PWV and monocyte activation markers (CD16+, neopterin, TF) compared to controls.
- The percentage of CD16-expressing monocytes and age were significantly associated with PWV in multivariate analysis among HIV-infected men.
- HIV viral load, CD4 count, and CD8 T cell activation markers were not associated with PWV.
Conclusions:
- Elevated monocyte activation is associated with increased arterial stiffness in HIV-infected individuals not yet on ART.
- Monocyte activation, rather than viral load or CD4 count, appears to be a key factor in arterial stiffness in this cohort.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and managing inflammation in HIV-infected individuals to mitigate cardiovascular risk.
Abstract:
Objectives To determine the association of the markers of monocyte activation and arterial stiffness among HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve men. Methods Sixty HIV-infected ART-naïve men and 20 HIV-uninfected male controls without symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease were recruited. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) were used as the marker of arterial stiffness and determined using a pulse pressure analyzer. The percentage of CD16-expressing monocytes was used as a marker of monocyte activation. Plasma neopterin concentration, one of the monocyte/macrophage activation markers and plasma tissue factor (TF), the coagulation marker in response to inflammatory stimuli, were also analyzed. Multivariate analyses were used to explore the association of the percentage of CD16-expressing monocytes with arterial stiffness in HIV-infected men. Results HIV-infected ART-naïve men demonstrated significantly higher PWV (1252.8 ± 161.6 vs.1159.2 ± 108.3 cm/s, p = 0.018). The percentage of CD16-expressing monocytes was significantly higher in HIV-infected men comparing male controls (23.4 ± 6.0% vs. 19.6 ± 4.6%, p = 0.012). Plasma concentrations of neopterin (0.91 vs. 0.64 ng/ml), p < 0.001) and TF (5.29 vs. 4.43 pg/ml, p = 0.04) were higher in HIV-infected men comparing controls. In the multivariate model for PWV among HIV-infected men, the percentage of CD16-expressing monocytes (p = 0.023) and age (p = 0.017) were significantly associated with PWV. HIV viral load, CD4 count, percentage of CD8+CD38+T cells and percentage of CD8+HLA-DR+ T cells were not associated with PWV. Discussion Higher level of monocyte activation marker is associated with higher level of arterial stiffness in ART naïve HIV-infected men. HIV viral load, CD4 count, and the markers of CD8 T cell activation were unrelated to PWV.
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