Higher Soluble CD163 in Blood Is Associated With Significant Depression Symptoms in Men With HIV

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• People with HIV (PWH) experience higher rates of depression.
• Understanding depression mechanisms in PWH is crucial for effective treatment.
• The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) provides a valuable dataset for this research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between blood biomarkers and depression symptoms in PWH.
• To identify potential biological mechanisms underlying depression in this population.
• To evaluate specific biomarkers including GlycA, CRP, IL-6, CCL2, sCD14, and sCD163.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of data from the MACS, a prospective study of cisgender men.
• Depression assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D).
• Six blood biomarkers measured and analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

• 784 men analyzed; 63% were PWH. PWH had higher rates of significant depression symptoms (SDS).
• Initially, GlycA, CRP, and sCD163 correlated with SDS.
• Multivariable analysis revealed only higher sCD163 concentration significantly associated with SDS (OR=2.30), particularly in PWH (OR=2.72).

Conclusions:

• Elevated sCD163, a marker of macrophage activation, is significantly associated with depression symptoms in PWH.
• Macrophage activation may play a role in the pathophysiology of depression among PWH.
• Further investigation into sCD163 and macrophage activation is warranted for improved depression management in PWH.