Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025
Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation
Published on: January 12, 2016
Increased Peripheral Inflammation Is Associated With Structural Brain Changes and Reduced Blood Flow in People With
Tricia H Burdo1, Jake A Robinson1, Sarah Cooley2
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Center for Neurovirology and Gene Editing, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Background:
While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved outcomes for people with HIV (PWH), brain dysfunction is still evident. Immune activation and inflammation remain elevated in PWH receiving ART, thereby contributing to morbidity and mortality. Previous studies demonstrated reduced functional and structural changes in PWH; however, underlying mechanisms remain elusive.
Methods:
Our cohort consisted of PWH with ART adherence and viral suppression ( < 50 copies/mL; N = 173). Measurements included immune cell markers of overall immune health (CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio) and myeloid inflammation (CD16+ monocytes), plasma markers of inflammatory status (soluble CD163 and CD14), and structural and functional neuroimaging (volume and cerebral blood flow [CBF], respectively).
Results:
Decreased CD4/CD8 ratios correlated with reduced brain volume, and higher levels of inflammatory CD16+ monocytes were associated with reduced brain volume in total cortex and gray matter. An increase in plasma soluble CD14-a marker of acute peripheral inflammation attributed to circulating microbial products-was associated with reduced CBF within the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortices and total gray matter.
Conclusions:
CD4/CD8 ratio and number of CD16+ monocytes, which are chronic immune cell markers, are associated with volumetric loss in the brain. Additionally, this study shows a potential new association between plasma soluble CD14 and CBF.
