Physical function impairment of older, HIV-infected adults is associated with cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin response

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2015 Sep;31(9):905-12. doi: 10.1089/AID.2015.0085. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with poor outcomes, including physical function impairment, in older HIV-uninfected adults. Whether CMV is associated with physical functional impairment in HIV-infected adults is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between CMV-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses with functional impairment in well-controlled HIV infection. In a case-control study, low-function cases were matched by age, gender, and time from HIV diagnosis to high-function controls. Quantitative CMV IgG and %CMV-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells (interferon-γ expression following CMV pp65 stimulation) were used to estimate physical function. Among 30 low-function cases and 48 high-function matched controls, CMV IgG ranged from <10 to 8,830 EU/ml, including four controls with results <10 EU/ml. Each log10 increase in CMV IgG was associated with 5-fold greater odds of low function (p=0.01); these findings were robust to adjustment for concomitant CD4(+) count, tobacco use, and age; to exclusion of subjects with CMV IgG <10 EU/ml; and to adjustment for hepatitis C viremia. %CMV-specific CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells were not associated with low function. In bivariable models, the relationship between CMV IgG and physical function was attenuated and was no longer significant when including IL-6, CD4/CD8 ratio, or the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index score. High levels of CMV-specific IgG were associated with impaired physical function. Attenuation of the strength of this association in bivariable models suggests an indirect relationship mediated by systemic inflammation and immune suppression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Physical Fitness*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G