Association between Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic, Translocation, Inflammation and Immunological Parameters in Individuals Living with HIV-1

Abstract

People living-with HIV (PLHIV) presented less richness and diversity in the intestinal microbiota than non-infected individuals. Immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection has been extensively studied, however the influence of microbiota in those parameters that are key in the pathogenesis are less well characterized. The aim of the current study was to characterize the faecal microbiota composition in a cohort of PLHIV and its relationship with the clinical, metabolic, nutritional, inflammation, bacterial translocation and immunological markers. Baseline faecal samples from seventy-six HIV infected individuals with undetectable viral load (uVL) from a prospective, randomized feeding trial (NCT03846206) were collected and processed. The gut microbiota was determined by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. After analysing alpha diversity, women presented less diversity (Fisher alpha, P<0.005) and richness (Observed, P<0.005) than men. In addition, less alpha and beta diversity was observed in individuals with ≥15 years with uVL (Fisher alpha, P=0.039). Clinical (years with uVL, Body Mass Index, liver enzymes), metabolic (total and LDL cholesterol, B-apolipoprotein), nutrients (fats, minerals and vitamins) and immunological parameters (Treg cells and immune activation) were associated with the intestinal microbiota composition. This observational study detailed the impact of the gender and the time with uVL on the gut microbiota in PLHIV. The associations among the gut bacteria composition and the clinic, metabolic and immunological markers suggest that the microbiota could influence HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. Funding: This study was funded by the SPANISH AIDS Research Network (RIS) projects RD16/0025/0002 and RD16/0025/0013 and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Hospital Clinic (Barcelona, Spain)