HIV-related Disease Research Articles

The Changing Face of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Mediated Kidney Disease.

In nearly 40years since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) first emerged, much has changed. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV infection and its effect on the cells within each kidney compartment has progressed, and the natural history of the disease has been transformed. What was once an acutely fatal illness is now a chronic disease managed with oral medications. This change is largely due to the advent of antiretroviral drugs, which have dramatically altered the prognosis and progression of HIV infection. However, the success of antiretroviral therapy has brought with it new challenges for the nephrologist caring for patients with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, including antiretroviral therapy-induced nephrotoxicity, development of non-HIV chronic kidney disease, and rising incidence of immune-mediated kidney injury. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of HIV infection and how it causes pathologic changes in the kidney, review the nephrotoxic effects of select antiretroviral medications, and touch upon other causes of kidney injury in HIV cases, including mechanisms of acute kidney injury, HIV-related immune complex glomerular disease, and thrombotic microangiopathy.

HIV-Related Skin Disease in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: Recognition and Management.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of people living with HIV (PLHIV). With increased survival and improved overall health, PLHIV are experiencing dermatologic issues both specific to HIV and common to the general population. In this new era of ART, it is crucial for dermatologists to have a strong understanding of the broad range of cutaneous disease and treatment options in this unique population. In this review, we outline the most common skin diseases in PLHIV, including HIV-associated malignancies, inflammatory conditions, and infections, and focus on the role of ART in altering epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous conditions.

HIV-1 Nef promotes cell proliferation and microRNA dysregulation in lung cells

ABSTRACT Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents about 85% of all lung cancer cases. Lung cancer is the most frequent non-AIDS-defining malignancies in HIV-infected patients. The mechanism of the increased risk for lung cancer in HIV-1 patients is poorly understood. HIV-1 Nef protein has been suggested to be one of the key players in HIV-related lung disease. In here, we showed the involvement of Nef protein in cell modifications such as fibroblasts (IMR-90) and normal (BEAS-2B) or cancerous (A549) epithelial cells. We demonstrated that Nef protein reprograms initial stages of lung cancer (e.g. changes in the metabolism, improved cell survival and invasion, increase the angiogenesis factor VEGF). Additionally, we showed that Nef is provoking a global decrease of mature miRNA and a decrease of DICER1 and AGO expression in lung cells. MiRNAs play a crucial role in cell signaling and homeostasis, functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, and their dysregulation can contribute to the tumorigenic process. These results showed that HIV-1 Nef protein is directly involved in preventing cell death and contributes to tumor progression.

Epidemiological, Clinical and Biological Aspects of Kidney Disease in People Living with HIV Naive Antiretroviral Therapy at CHU Sylvanus Olympio of Lome (TOGO)

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a common cause of kidney disease worldwide. HIV-related renal diseases are associated with high morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan African countries. The aim is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and biological aspects of kidney disease in people living with HIV naive antiretroviral therapy in Lome in Togo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in the department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Lome from ESOPE database. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Kidney disease was defined as GFR less than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results: In total, 3118 HIV-infected ART-naive patients were included in this study. Among them, the prevalence of renal disease at the beginning of their care, was 41.8% or 1303 patients [95% CI: 40.0% - 43.5%]. The median estimated GFR was 94.7 ml/min/1.73 m2: 2.9% had eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2. The median age was 40 years [IQR = 34 - 48 years] with a sex ratio at 0.45. BMI median was 20.6 Kg/m2. Most of patients (30.8%) were at clinic OMS stage 1. Median CD4 was 165/uL [IQR = 72 - 274/uL]; median hemoglobin was 10.4 g/dl [IQR = 8.8 - 11.9 g/dl]; median glycemia was 0.84 g/l [IQR = 0.75 - 0.95 g/l]. Most of patients (99.9%) had HIV-1. 8.5% had hyperleukocytosis, and all patients had thrombopenia. Conclusion: The incidence of kidney disease is high in Togolese HIV-infected ART naive patients.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly within the hospital setting and is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Factors such as social, economic and ethical dilemmas are closely associated with initiation of dialysis in the public health sector. Methods: A retrospective review of 324 patients presenting with kidney failure who were initiated on acute dialysis at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital was carried out over a 2-year period from July 2009 to June 2011. Results: The mean age at presentation was 40 ± 13 years; 57% of patients were male and 92% were Black. HIV positivity occurred in 26% of patients. The leading indications for acute dialysis included decompensated chronic kidney disease (38.9%), acute tubular necrosis (ATN) (38.3%), HIV-related kidney disease (13.6%), malaria (5.7%), pregnancy-related kidney disease (7.4%) and glomerulonephritis (7.4%). ATN was the predominant cause of AKI in HIV-positive patients. The overall renal recovery rate was 31%, and the overall mortality rate was 23%. About 44.6% of patients had chronic consequences, with 23% being transferred to chronic renal replacement therapy (RRT) and 21.6% transferred to renal outpatients (ROPD) with cessation of dialysis; 1.4% were lost to follow-up. While HIV-positive patients had a better renal recovery rate compared to HIV-negative patients (36% versus 26%; p &lt; 0.0001), they had a higher mortality rate compared to their HIV-negative counterparts (34% versus 19%; p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: AKI remains a common presentation that often requires dialysis, a precious resource in an already overburdened health system, and occurs at similar rates in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. The underlying aetiology of AKI at Chris Hani Baragwanath resembles that of other developing countries with ATN, malaria, sepsis and pregnancy-induced kidney injury amongst the leading causes. High mortality rates were observed in patients with ATN, in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus-related cerebral white matter disease in children.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic seems largely controlled by anti-retroviral treatment with resultant large numbers of children growing up with the disease on long-term treatment, placing them at higher risk to develop HIV-related brain injury, ongoing cognitive impairment and treatment-related neurological complications. Cerebral white matter involvement is a common radiologic finding in HIV infection and the causes of this have overlapping appearances, ranging from diffuse widespread involvement to focal lesions. The varied pathophysiology is broadly grouped into primary effects of HIV, opportunistic infection, vascular disease and neoplasms. White matter changes in children can be different from those in adults. This review provides guidance to radiologists with the diagnostic dilemma of nonspecific cerebral white matter lesions in children with HIV. The authors discuss common causes of HIV-related cerebral white matter disease as well as the role of neuroimaging in the management of these children.

Endemic Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-negative children and adolescents: an evaluation of overlapping and distinct clinical features in comparison with HIV-related disease

BackgroundEndemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was first described in African children over fifty years ago, but has recently been overshadowed by HIV-related disease. We aimed to evaluate the similarities and differences between endemic HIV-negative and epidemic HIV-positive pediatric KS in a KS-associated herpesvirus-endemic region of Africa.MethodsWe describe clinical characteristics of 20 HIV-negative children with endemic KS over a six-year period and compare findings with a historical control—an HIV-related pediatric KS cohort from Lilongwe, Malawi.ResultsThe HIV-negative endemic KS cohort was 70% male with a median age of 9.3 years. Lymph node involvement was present in 50%, hyperpigmented skin lesions in 45%, and woody edema in 40%. One patient (5%) presented with oral KS involvement and no patients presented initially with visceral KS. Significant anemia (hemoglobin < 8 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 × 109/L) were found at time of original KS diagnosis in 45 and 40% respectively. In both HIV-negative and HIV-positive cohorts, lymphadenopathy was the most common presentation, prototypical skin lesions were often absent, severe cytopenias were a common clinical feature, and treatment outcomes were similar. Patients with endemic KS demonstrated less frequent oral involvement (5% versus 29%, P = 0.03) and a lower proportion of patients with visceral involvement (0% versus 16%, P = 0.06).ConclusionsThese data suggest clinical overlap between epidemiological variants. Treatment protocols for pediatric KS in sub-Saharan Africa should be devised to include both endemic HIV-negative and epidemic HIV-related disease to better define the clinical and biological comparison.

Endemic Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-negative children and adolescents: an evaluation of overlapping and distinct clinical features in comparison with HIV-related disease

Endemic Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-negative children and adolescents: an evaluation of overlapping and distinct clinical features in comparison with HIV-related disease

Chronic Lung Disease in HIV Patients

This narrative review discusses literature on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in people living with HIV (PLWH). Existing data indicate that HIV itself, independent of smoking, constitutes a pathogenic agent implicated in this disease condition. COPD can be viewed not exclusively as a pulmonary disease but rather as a systemic syndrome sparked and fueled by a persistent low-grade HIV-attributable inflammatory state. We speculate that even in the absence of airflow obstruction on spirometry, HIV-related lung disease can manifest with respiratory symptoms and structural lung derangement. Although not fully satisfying the global initiative for obstructive lung disease criteria for COPD, this phenotype of small airways lung disease is related to significant impairment of lung health and is associated with a high comorbidity burden. Within the specific context of the aging epidemic affecting HIV patients characterized by a high burden of comorbidities, frailty, and disabilities HIV-related lung disease has to be fit into the framework of the general comorbidity burden that PLWH experience, due to both HIV infection and to incidental HIV-unrelated risk factors. In this review, we will also provide a list of research gaps and an agenda for future studies in HIV patients.

HIV-1 Tat-induced bystander apoptosis in Jurkat cells involves unfolded protein responses.

The HIV transactivator protein (Tat) is a multifunctional protein that plays a critical role in viral replication and contributes to several pathological symptoms of HIV-1 infection, which has the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes as one of its hallmark features. It has been shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, including viral infections, is implicated in cellular dysfunction and cell death through activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we demonstrate that the bystander stimulus of Tat on Jurkat cells resulted in time-dependent overexpression of major UPR markers including ER chaperone BiP, ER stress sensors ATF6, PERK, and IRE1, as well as an increase in levels of downstream mediators eIF2α, ATF4, XBP-1, and proapoptotic factors CHOP, GADD34, and BIM. This upregulation of UPR mediators was accompanied by decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis as evidenced by blue trypan dye exclusion and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the Tat-associated apoptosis of Jurkat cells led to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-12 and -3 activation. Taken together, these results suggest that the exposure of HIV-1 Tat leads to ER stress/UPR triggering which in turn contributes to apoptotic death in Jurkat cells. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: In the present work, we provide a substantial insight into the link between ER impairment and apoptotic death following a bystander HIV Tat stimulus, revealing an underlying ER-mediated apoptotic mechanism which could explain the continuous depletion of uninfected CD4+ T lymphocytes observed in HIV-related disease. Our findings reinforce the relevance of ER stress molecular responses in the course of HIV infection and may afford valuable information for the development of new therapeutic strategies to avoid CD4+ T lymphocyte loss and other disorders induced by circulant Tat.

Soluble levels of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: ACTG NWCS332.

The role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in HIV-related atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. Both glycation and oxidation (HDLox) are major modifications of HDL that can alter its composition and function. Therefore, we explored the longitudinal association of HDLox with progression of glycation, as evaluated by measurement of circulating forms of receptor for AGE that predict morbidity (soluble Receptors for Advanced Glycation Endproducts [sRAGE], endogenous secretory Receptors for Advanced Glycation Endproducts [esRAGE]), in people with HIV-1 (PWH; HIV-1+) and uninfected (HIV-1−) individuals.We retrospectively assessed if levels of plasma sRAGE and esRAGE and HDL function (reduced antioxidant function is associated with increased HDL lipid hydroperoxide content; HDLox) in a subset of participants (n = 80) from a prospective 3-year study (AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5078). Primary outcomes were baseline and yearly rates of change over 96 of 144 weeks (Δ) in HDLox in HIV-1+ versus uninfected HIV-1 controls (noted as HIV-1−).Higher baseline levels of sRAGE in PWH on effective anti-retroviral therapy and with low CVD risk, but not in HIV-1− persons, were independently associated with higher HDLox. EsRAGE, but not sRAGE, had consistent inverse relationships with ΔHDLox in both HIV-1+ and HIV-1− persons at baseline. In HIV-1− but not in HIV-1+ persons, ΔHDLox had positive and inverse relationships with ΔRAGE and ΔesRAGE, respectively.Glycation and oxidation of HDL may contribute to impaired HDL function present in PWH.

The Role of Kidney Injury Molecule-1, Interleukin-18 and Glutathione-S-Transferase-π in Paediatric HIVAN.

Background. HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) in sub-Saharan Africa remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Early detection of kidney injury is essential for injury-specific interventions that may avert permanent kidney damage and delay progression of kidney injury. Kidney biopsy is presently the gold standard for diagnosis of related kidney disease; however, it is pervasive with attendant complications, and may not be representative owing to sampling error. Serum creatinine is an insensitive and non-specific marker for the diagnosis of various kidney diseases, particularly in HIV-infected patients, who usually have varying degrees of muscle wasting. Therefore, a non-invasive approach using additional biomarkers for early detection of HIV-related kidney diseases, particularly HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), is urgently needed. Objective. To determine the urinary concentrations of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and glutathione-S-transferase-π (GST-π) in children with idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and HIVAN. Methods. The study group comprised 34 children: 13 with HIVAN and 21 with idiopathic FSGS. The control groups were 19 HIV-positive and 16 HIV-negative children with no kidney disease. Urine samples collected from these 69 children were stored at –80oC. Urinary concentrations of KIM-1, IL-18 and GST-π were quantified using Bio-Plex assay. Results. A significant increase in urinary KIM-1 levels was observed in the HIVAN group compared with the HIV-positive ( p =0.0039) and HIV-negative ( p =0.0438) control groups. There was no significant increase in KIM-1 levels on comparison of the idiopathic FSGS group with the control groups (HIV-positive and HIV-negative children) ( p =0.0737 and p =0.1757, respectively). No statistically significant differences were noted in urinary IL-18 and GST-π levels across all study groups. Conclusion. Urinary KIM-1 levels are significantly elevated in children with HIVAN and may be a useful biomarker to detect kidney disease in HIV-1-infected children.

Kardiomiopati Dilatasi pada Pasien HIV-AIDS

The heart and great vessels are not the sites most frequently affected by opportunistic infections and neoplastic processes in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-related disease is now recognized as an important cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, with a prevalence of 8%–30%. Patients with HIV-infection and dilated cardiomyopathy have a much worse prognosis than those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac involvement in HIV represents a pathophysiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for cardiologists. This review describes pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of HIV- dilated cardiomyopathy.

Risk factors and co-morbidities associated with changes in renal function among antiretroviral treatment-naïve adults in South Africa: A chart review.

IntroductionOur systematic scoping review has demonstrated a research gap in antiretroviral treatment (ART) nephrotoxicity as well as in the long-term outcomes of renal function for patients on ART in South Africa. Bearing in mind the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa, this is of great concern.ObjectivesTo determine the risk factors and co-morbidities associated with changes in renal function in HIV-infected adults in South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 350 ART-naïve adult patients attending the King Edward VIII HIV clinic, Durban, South Africa. Data were collected at baseline (pre-ART) and at six, 12, 18 and 24 months on ART. Renal function was assessed in the 24-month period using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation and was categorised into normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60), moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30–59), severe renal impairment (eGFR 15–29) and kidney failure (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2). Generalised linear models for binary data were used to model the probability of renal impairment over the five time periods, controlling for repeated measures within participants over time. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported for each time point versus baseline.ResultsThe cohort was 64% female, and 99% were Black. The median age was 36 years. At baseline, 10 patients had hypertension (HPT), six had diabetes, 61 were co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) and 157 patients had a high body mass index (BMI) with 25.4% being categorised as overweight and 19.4% as obese. The majority of the patients (59.3%) were normotensive. At baseline, the majority of the patients (90.4%) had normal renal function (95% CI: 86% – 93%), 7.0% (CI: 5% – 10%) had moderate renal impairment, 1.3% (CI: 0% – 3%) had severe renal impairment and 1.3% (CI: 0% – 3%) had renal failure. As BMI increased by one unit, the risk of renal impairment increased by 1.06 (CI: 1.03–1.10) times. The association of HPT with abnormal renal function was found to be insignificant, p > 0.05. The vast majority of patients were initiated on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) (90.6%), in combination with lamivudine (3TC) (100%) and either efavirenz (EFV) (56.6%) or nevirapine (NVP) (43.4%).ConclusionThis study reports a low prevalence of baseline renal impairment in HIV-infected ART-naïve outpatients. An improvement in renal function after the commencement of ART has been demonstrated in this population. However, the long-term outcomes of patients with HIV-related renal disease are not known.

Correlates of HIV Testing Among Young Adults in Iran: Findings from a Nationwide Population-Based Survey in 2013

We examined the prevalence and correlates of HIV testing among Iranian young adults. Demographic and behavioral data were collected cross-sectionally. A convenience sample of 19- to 29-year-old young adults (N=3,246) were recruited from 13 major provinces. Generalized estimating equations models were constructed to identify the correlates of HIV testing. Only 13.6% (n=443) of the participants had ever tested for HIV. In the multivariable analysis, male sex, married marital status, having extramarital sex, knowing a person living with HIV or who had died of HIV-related diseases, older age, higher education, and higher HIV-related knowledge were positively and significantly associated with HIV testing. Our finding that only about 1 in 7 Iranian young adults had ever tested for HIV was alarming. Interventions aimed at increasing HIV-related knowledge, HIV testing promotion, and identifying the barriers to HIV testing among Iranian young adults remain a public health priority.

Ocular lesions in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals

To analyze ophthalmic pathologies in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals of Perm city. Medical records of 75 HIV patients registered in Perm Regional Centre for Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases who had received treatment in ophthalmic in-patient clinics of Perm in 2005-2015 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patient examination included traditional ophthalmological methods, as well as immunological (determination of CD4 cells and viral load), serological (detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, toxoplasma), general clinical methods, and consultations by allied specialists. Ophthalmopathology requiring in-patient care was detected in 75 people (84 eyes). Men comprised 76%, women - 24%; average age was 32.82±8.68 years. The stage of HIV infection was known in 78.66% of patients: stage II - in 5% of cases, stage III - in 32%, stage IV - in 63%. Co-infection (hepatitis B and C, syphilis, tuberculosis) was detected in 81% of patients. HIV-related diseases (cytomegalovirus and herpes infection, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis) were observed in 48% of individuals. The time of emergence of ocular pathology from the time of HIV detection ranged from 1 day to 14 years. Inflammatory ocular diseases occurred in 55% of cases, dystrophic disorders - in 18%, eye traumas - in 24%, and strabismus - in 3% of patients. Reduced level of CD4 (less than 500 cells/mm3) was more prevalent (72.13%) among the study patients. As of the time of the study, only 36.4% of patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Among the studied individuals, eye lesion was mostly severe, inflammatory in nature; it occurred more frequently in stage IV HIV patients with reduced number of CD4 lymphocytes who was not receiving antiretroviral therapy.

HIV and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of Immunometabolic Perturbations.

The successful rollout of anti-retroviral therapy ensured that HIV is increasingly managed as a chronic condition. HIV-positive persons are therefore exhibiting increased cardiovascular complications. This review focuses on the emerging role of "immunometabolism" within the context of HIV-related immune dysregulation and cardiovascular disease onset. Here, persistent immune activation contributes to pathophysiological perturbations during early infection, resulting in immune cell metabolic reprogramming and the activation of coagulation pathways in HIV-positive individuals.

Hospitalization of HIV positive patients: Significant demand affecting all hospital sectors

BackgroundIn a context of the evolution of severe morbidities in patients living with HIV (PLWH), the aim of this study was to describe reasons for hospitalization and the mode of care for the patients requiring hospitalization. MethodsAll admissions (≥24h) of PLWH to 10 hospitals in the south of Paris (COREVIH Ile-de-France Sud) between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/2011 were identified. The hospital database and the file of patients followed in the HIV referral department of each hospital were matched. Detailed clinical and biological data were collected, by returning to the individual medical records, for a random sample (65% of hospitalized patients). ResultsA total of 3013 hospitalizations (1489 patients) were recorded in 2011. The estimated rate of hospitalized patients was about 8% among the 10105 PLWH routinely managed in COREVIH Ile-de-France Sud in 2011. The majority (58.5%) of these hospitalizations occurred in a unit other than the HIV referral unit. Non-AIDS-defining infections were the main reason for admission (16.4%), followed by HIV-related diseases (15.6%), hepatic/gastrointestinal diseases (12.0%), and cardiovascular diseases (10.3%). The median length of stay was 5 days overall (IQR: 2-11), it was longer among patients admitted to a referral HIV care unit than to another ward. HIV infection had been diagnosed >10 years previously in 61.4% of these hospitalized patients. They often had associated comorbidities (coinfection HCV/HVB 40.5%, smoking 45.8%; hypertension 33.4%, dyslipidemia 28.8%, diabetes 14.8%). Subjects over 60 years old accounted for 15% of hospitalized patients, most of them were virologically controlled under HIV treatment, and cardiovascular diseases were their leading reason for admission. ConclusionNeeds for hospitalization among PLWH remain important, with a wide variety in causes of admission, involving all hospital departments. It is essential to prevent comorbidities to reduce these hospitalizations, and to maintain a link between the management of PLWH, that becomes rightly, increasing ambulatory, and recourse to specialized inpatient services.

Reducing medical comorbidities associated with long-term HIV infection: beyond optimizing antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Reducing medical comorbidities associated with long-term HIV infection: beyond optimizing antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein from HIV+ individuals promotes monocyte-derived foam cell formation in vitro.

The role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in HIV-related atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. HDLs isolated from HIV [HIV(+)HDL] and HIV-uninfected individuals [HIV(-)HDL] were assessed for HDL function and ability to promote monocyte-derived foam cell formation (MDFCF; a key event in HIV-related CVD) ex vivo. Using an established in-vitro model of atherogenesis and plasma samples from an established cross-sectional study of virologically suppressed HIV men on stable effective antiretroviral therapy and with low CVD risk (median age: 42 years; n = 10), we explored the impact of native HDL [HIV(+)HDL] on MDFCF. In this exploratory study, we selected HIV(+)HDL known to be dysfunctional based on two independent measures of impaired HDL function: antioxidant (high HDLox) ability of HDL to release apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) (low HDL-ApoA-I exchange). Five healthy men matched by age and race to the HIV group were included. Given that oxidation of HDL leads to abnormal HDL function, we also compared proatherogenic effects of HIV(+)HDL vs. chemically derived HDLox. The ex-vivo atherogenesis assay was performed using lipoproteins (purchased or isolated from plasma using ultracentrifugation) and monocytes purified via negative selection from healthy donors. HIV(+)HDL known to have reduced antioxidant function and rate of HDL/ApoAI exchange promoted MDFCF to a greater extent than HDL (33.0 vs. 26.2% foam cells; P = 0.015). HDL oxidized in vitro also enhanced foam cell formation as compared with nonoxidized HDL (P < 0.01). Dysfunctional HDL in virologically suppressed HIV individuals may potentiate atherosclerosis in HIV infection by promoting MDFCF.The role of HDL function in HIV-related atherosclerotic CVD is unclear. HDL isolated from HIV [HIV(+)HDL] and HIV-uninfected individuals [HIV(-)HDL] were assessed for HDL function and ability to promote foam cell formation ex vivo. HIV(+)HDL known to have reduced antioxidant function and rate of HDL/ApoA1 exchange promoted MDFCF to a greater extent than HDL(-)HDL (33.0 vs. 26.2% foam cells.Subject codes: Inflammation, Lipids and Cholesterol, Vascular Biology, Oxidant Stress, Atherosclerosis.