The macrophage: the intersection between HIV infection and atherosclerosis

J Leukoc Biol. 2010 Apr;87(4):589-98. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0809580. Epub 2009 Dec 1.

Abstract

HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) with underlying mechanisms including chronic immune activation and inflammation secondary to HIV-induced microbial translocation and low-grade endotoxemia; direct effects of HIV and viral proteins on macrophage cholesterol metabolism; and dyslipidemia related to HIV infection and specific antiretroviral therapies. Monocytes are the precursors of the lipid-laden foam cells within the atherosclerotic plaque and produce high levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. The minor CD14+/CD16+ "proinflammatory" monocyte subpopulation is preferentially susceptible to HIV infection and may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of HIV-related CAD. In this review, the central role of monocytes/macrophages in HIV-related CAD and the importance of inflammation and cholesterol metabolism are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol / immunology*
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Coronary Artery Disease / etiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / immunology*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / metabolism
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / therapy
  • Dyslipidemias / etiology
  • Dyslipidemias / immunology
  • Dyslipidemias / metabolism
  • Dyslipidemias / pathology
  • Dyslipidemias / therapy
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / metabolism
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / metabolism
  • Macrophage Activation / immunology*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • FCGR3B protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Cholesterol