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Short Communication: Plasma Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 and Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in the Multicenter
Sudipa Sarkar1, Sabina Haberlen2, Wendy S Post2,3
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Insights
Plasma levels of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3) did not differ between men with and without HIV. LAG3 was not associated with coronary artery disease in either group, despite chronic inflammation in people with HIV.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Chronic inflammation, common in people with HIV (PWH), increases immune cell expression of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3).
- Low plasma LAG3 is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the general population.
- The relationship between LAG3, inflammation, subclinical atherosclerosis, and HIV status is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma LAG3 levels, subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, and HIV infection status.
- To explore factors associated with plasma LAG3 concentration in a cohort of men with and without HIV.
Main Methods:
- Plasma LAG3 levels were measured in 704 men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).
- Participants underwent coronary computed tomography angiography to assess subclinical atherosclerosis.
- Statistical analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors and traditional CVD risk factors.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in plasma LAG3 concentration was observed between men with and without HIV.
- Plasma LAG3 was not associated with the presence or severity of coronary artery stenosis.
- Current smoking and African American race were associated with lower LAG3; older age and higher sTNFαRI were associated with greater LAG3.
Conclusions:
- HIV serostatus is not an independent determinant of plasma LAG3 levels.
- Plasma LAG3 concentration is not associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in men, irrespective of HIV status.
- Factors such as smoking, race, age, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFαRI) influence LAG3 levels.
Abstract:
Chronic inflammation, including among people with HIV (PWH), elevates immune cell expression of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3); however, low plasma LAG3 predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the general population. The associations among LAG3 plasma levels, subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation, and HIV infection have not been well described. We measured plasma LAG3 in 704 men with and without HIV from the multicenter AIDS cohort study, who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography. HIV serostatus was not independently associated with LAG3 after adjustment for sociodemographic and CVD risk factors. Current smoking status and African American race were associated with lower LAG3, and age and sTNFαRI concentration were associated with greater LAG3. LAG3 was not associated with coronary artery stenosis. Thus, no difference was found in plasma LAG3 concentration by HIV serostatus, and no association between LAG3 and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in men with and without HIV was observed.
