Project description:Biomarkers of inflammation and immune activation were correlated with rotavirus vaccine responses in 68 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)–infected (and 116 HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) African infants receiving pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) in a clinical trial. Prevaccination, HIV-1+ infants had significantly higher concentrations of interferon γ (IFNγ), interleukin1β, interleukin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and soluble CD14 compared with HEU infants. Postvaccination concentrations of neutralizing antibodies to RV5 were negatively correlated with prevaccination concentrations of IL-10 (RV5 surface proteins G1 and P1) and IFNγ (G1) in the HIV-1+ infants, whereas antirotavirus immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were not. Heightened inflammation and immune activation in HIV-1+ infants did not alter IgA responses associated with protection from rotavirus disease.
Project description:In a retrospective case control analysis, following adjustments for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, higher lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) was associated with future myocardial infarctions in hsCRP human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). LBP may be a marker of cardiovascular risk with utility in HIV.
Project description:BackgroundAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART). Little is known about the roles of inflammation in atherosclerotic CVD among PWH.MethodsThis cross-sectional evaluation included 178 PWH between 40 and 70 years on stable (>3 months) ART who were derived from the ongoing, prospective cohort for Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART), China, from February 2017 to August 2018. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) ≥1 mm was considered as cIMT thickening indicative of atherosclerotic CVD. Plasma inflammation and coagulation biomarkers were quantified by a multiplex bead cytokine assay for 27 cytokines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for soluble CD14 and D-dimer, respectively. We performed a series of multiparametric analyses of biomarkers and developed a composite score for atherosclerotic CVD assessment among PWH.ResultsOf 178 PWH, 53 (30.9%) had cIMT thickening. In multivariable logistic analysis adjusting for CVD and human immunodeficiency virus-specific risk factors, interleukin (IL)-4 (odds ratio [OR] = 19.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-226.5), IL-7 (OR = 16.7; 95% CI, 1.8-151.7), IL-10 (OR = 11.9; 95% CI, 2.0-72.1), and D-dimer (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0-10.1) were significantly associated with cIMT thickening. We also developed a composite score incorporating markers (IL-7, IL-10, D-dimer, and hypertension) that accurately evaluated atherosclerotic CVD.ConclusionsThe associations of IL-4, IL-7, IL-10, and D-dimer with atherosclerosis underscores research needs to further understand the inflammatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis CVD among treated PWH. The composite score for atherosclerotic CVD assessment could be useful for risk stratification in PWH.
Project description:We evaluated immune biomarker profiles in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults (n = 398) from 5 African countries. Although all biomarkers decreased after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, levels of C-X-C chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, soluble CD163, and soluble scavenger receptor CD14 were significantly higher during ART than in an HIV-uninfected reference group (n = 90), indicating persistent monocyte/macrophage activation, inflammation, and microbial translocation. Before ART initiation, high HIV viral load was associated with elevated CXCL10 and tuberculosis coinfection was associated with elevated soluble CD14. High pre-ART levels of each biomarker strongly predicted residual immune activation during ART. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 were differentially expressed between countries. Further research is needed on the clinical implications of residual immune dysregulation.
Project description:Plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels in women are lower early in untreated HIV-1 infection compared with those in men, but women have higher T-cell activation and faster disease progression when adjusted for viral load. It is not known whether these sex differences persist during effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), or whether they would be relevant for the evaluation and implementation of HIV-1 cure strategies. We prospectively enrolled a cohort of reproductive-aged women and matched men on suppressive ART and measured markers of HIV-1 persistence, residual virus activity, and immune activation. The frequency of CD4+ T cells harboring HIV-1 DNA was comparable between the sexes, but there was higher cell-associated HIV-1 RNA, higher plasma HIV-1 (single copy assay), and higher T-cell activation and PD-1 expression in men compared with women. These sex-related differences in immune phenotype and HIV-1 persistence on ART have significant implications for the design and measurement of curative interventions.
Project description:BackgroundDespite low plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA, HIV controllers have evidence of viral replication and elevated inflammation. We assessed the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on HIV suppression, immune activation, and quality of life (QoL).MethodsA5308 was a prospective, open-label study of rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in ART-naive HIV controllers (N = 35), defined as having HIV RNA <500 copies/mL for ≥12 months. The primary outcome measured change in %CD38+HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells. Residual plasma viremia was measured using the integrase single-copy assay. QoL was measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Outcomes were evaluated using repeated measures general estimating equations models.ResultsBefore ART, HIV controllers with undetectable residual viremia <0.6 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL had higher CD4+ counts and lower levels of T-cell activation than those with detectable residual viremia. ART use was effective in further increasing the proportion of individuals with undetectable residual viremia (pre-ART vs after 24-48 weeks of ART: 19% vs 94%, P < .001). Significant declines were observed in the %CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells at 24-48 (-4.0%, P = .001) and 72-96 (-7.2%, P < .001) weeks after ART initiation. ART use resulted in decreases of several cellular markers of immune exhaustion and in a modest but significant improvement in self-reported QoL. There were no significant changes in CD4+ counts or HIV DNA.ConclusionsART in HIV controllers reduces T-cell activation and improves markers of immune exhaustion. These results support the possible clinical benefits of ART in this population.
Project description:BackgroundCase fatality rates among hospitalized patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis remain high, and tuberculosis mycobacteremia is common. Our aim was to define the nature of innate immune responses associated with 12-week mortality in this population.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was conducted at Khayelitsha Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Hospitalized HIV-infected tuberculosis patients with CD4 counts <350 cells/µL were included; tuberculosis blood cultures were performed in all. Ambulatory HIV-infected patients without active tuberculosis were recruited as controls. Whole blood was stimulated with Escherichia coli derived lipopolysaccharide, heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Biomarkers of inflammation and sepsis, intracellular (flow cytometry) and secreted cytokines (Luminex), were assessed for associations with 12-week mortality using Cox proportional hazard models. Second, we investigated associations of these immune markers with tuberculosis mycobacteremia.ResultsSixty patients were included (median CD4 count 53 cells/µL (interquartile range [IQR], 22-132); 16 (27%) died after a median of 12 (IQR, 0-24) days. Thirty-one (52%) grew M. tuberculosis on blood culture. Mortality was associated with higher concentrations of procalcitonin, activation of the innate immune system (% CD16+CD14+ monocytes, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-ɑ and colony-stimulating factor 3), and antiinflammatory markers (increased interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and lower monocyte and neutrophil responses to bacterial stimuli). Tuberculosis mycobacteremia was not associated with mortality, nor with biomarkers of sepsis.ConclusionsTwelve-week mortality was associated with greater pro- and antiinflammatory alterations of the innate immune system, similar to those reported in severe bacterial sepsis.
Project description:AimsImmune activation, which is characteristic of both tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, is associated with impaired drug metabolism. We tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of systemic immune activation among adults with HIV/TB initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) would be associated with impaired clearance of isoniazid.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study of isoniazid pharmacokinetics (PK) and systemic immune activation prior to and 1 month after ART initiation. Nonlinear mixed effects analysis was performed to measure the covariate effect of immune activation on isoniazid clearance in a model that also included N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT-2) genotype and interoccasional variability on clearance (thereby analyzing the PK data before and after ART initiation in a single model).ResultsWe enrolled 40 patients in the PK visit prior to ART, and 24 patients returned for the second visit a median of 33 days after initiating antiretroviral therapy. The isoniazid concentration data were best described by a two-compartment model with first-order elimination. After accounting for NAT-2 genotype, increasing levels of CD38 and HLA-DR expression on CD8+ T cells (CD38+ DR+ CD8+ ) were associated with decreasing isoniazid clearance.ConclusionHIV/TB patients with high levels of immune activation demonstrated impaired isoniazid clearance. Future efforts should determine the role of this relationship in clinical hepatotoxicity events.
Project description:BackgroundDespite early antiretroviral therapy (ART), ART-suppressed people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) remain at higher risk for infections and infection-related cancers than the general population. The immunologic pathways that remain abnormal in this setting, potentially contributing to these complications, are unclear.MethodsART-suppressed PWH and HIV-negative controls, all cytomegalovirus seropositive and enriched for HIV risk factors, were sampled from an influenza vaccine responsiveness study. PWH were stratified by timing of ART initiation (within 6 months of infection [early ART] vs later) and nadir CD4+ T-cell count among later initiators. Between-group differences in kynurenine-tryptophan (KT) ratio, interferon-inducible protein 10, soluble CD14 and CD163, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, interleukin 6, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor were assessed after confounder adjustment.ResultsMost participants (92%) were male, reflecting the demographics of early-ART initiators in San Francisco. Most biomarkers were higher among later-ART initiators. Participants in the early-ART group achieved near-normal soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, interleukin 6, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels, but substantially higher KT ratio than those without HIV after confounder adjustment (P = .008). Soluble CD14, soluble CD163, and interferon-inducible protein 10 trended similarly.ConclusionsWhile early-ART initiators restore near-normal levels of many inflammatory markers, the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism remains abnormally high. Because this pathway confers adaptive immune defects and predicts tuberculosis and cancer progression, this it may contribute to persistent risks of these complications in this setting.
Project description:BackgroundMicrobial translocation from the gut to systemic circulation contributes to immune activation during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is usually assessed by measuring plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Fungal colonization in the gut increases during HIV-infection and people living with HIV (PLWH) have increased plasma levels of fungal polysaccharide (1→3)-β-D-Glucan (βDG). We assessed the contribution of circulating DG to systemic immune activation in PLWH.MethodsCross-sectional and longitudinal assessments of plasma βDG levels were conducted along with markers of HIV disease progression, epithelial gut damage, bacterial translocation, proinflammatory cytokines, and βDG-specific receptor expression on monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.ResultsPlasma βDG levels were elevated during early and chronic HIV infection and persisted despite long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). βDG increased over 24 months without ART but remained unchanged after 24 months of treatment. βDG correlated negatively with CD4 T-cell count and positively with time to ART initiation, viral load, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, LPS, and soluble LPS receptor soluble CD14 (sCD14). Elevated βDG correlated positively with indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 enzyme activity, regulatory T-cell frequency, activated CD38+Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR isotype (HLA-DR)+ CD4 and CD8 T cells and negatively with Dectin-1 and NKp30 expression on monocytes and NK cells, respectively.ConclusionsPLWH have elevated plasma βDG in correlation with markers of disease progression, gut damage, bacterial translocation, and inflammation. Early ART initiation prevents further βDG increase. This fungal antigen contributes to immune activation and represents a potential therapeutic target to prevent non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome events.