Abstract
BackgroundGreater T-cell activation was associated with reduced vascular compliance amongst persons living with HIV (PLWH) especially among overweight and obese individuals. There is a paucity of data regarding immune activation and arterial stiffness amongst PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).ObjectiveTo determine the association between immune activation and arterial stiffness in lean PLWH in SSA.MethodForty-eight human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) >5 years and 26 HIV-negative adults, all with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and no history of CVD, were enrolled. The relationship of vascular compliance with circulating CD4+ and CD8+ naïve, memory, activated and senescent T cells, and serum 8-isoprostane was assessed by HIV status.ResultsIncreased immune activation was observed in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of PLWH, 16.7% vs. 8.9% and 22.0% vs. 12.4% respectively; p < 0.001 (both). Furthermore, a higher proportion of senescent CD4+ T cells were associated with a lower carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV; p = 0.01), whilst a higher proportion of activated CD8+ T cells were associated with a lower carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV; p = 0.04), after adjustment for BMI and age. However, PLWH also had a higher median carotid-femoral augmentation index (cfAiX) (21.1% vs. 6.0%; p < 0.05) in comparison to their HIV controls.ConclusionOur population of lean PLWH had increased immune activation and higher cfAiX, a marker of arterial stiffness, compared to HIV-negative persons. The negative association between immune activation and arterial stiffness as measured by crPWV in PLHW on long-term treatment needs further elucidation.
Highlights
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has continued to rise over the last two decades[1,2] with cardiovascular-related disorders being a leading cause of death in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH).[3]
A total of 74 adult participants were enrolled in the study: 48 with HIV (28 female; 20 male) and 26 HIV-negative (15 female; 11 male)
People living with HIV had a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to the HIV-negative group (18.9 kg/m2 vs. 20.7 kg/m2, respectively) but had comparable waist circumferences (72 centimetres [cm] vs. 70 cm)
Summary
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has continued to rise over the last two decades[1,2] with cardiovascular-related disorders being a leading cause of death in persons living with HIV (PLWH).[3] Endothelial dysfunction, a proposed mechanism leading to this increased cardiovascular disease (CVD ) risk, results in diminished relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle and to arterial stiffness.[4,5,6]. Increased arterial stiffness and immune activation have been reported in PLWH.[8,9]. Greater T-cell activation was associated with reduced vascular compliance amongst persons living with HIV (PLWH) especially among overweight and obese individuals. There is a paucity of data regarding immune activation and arterial stiffness amongst PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
