Increased coronary atherosclerosis and immune activation in HIV-1 elite controllers

AIDS. 2012 Nov 28;26(18):2409-12. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835a9950.

Abstract

HIV-1 elite controllers spontaneously maintain suppressed levels of viremia, but exhibit significant immune activation. We investigated coronary atherosclerosis by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in elite controllers, nonelite controller, chronically HIV-1 infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated patients with undetectable viral load ('chronic HIV'), and HIV-negative controls. Prevalence of atherosclerosis (78 vs. 42%, P < 0.05) and markers of immune activation were increased in elite controllers compared with HIV-negative controls. sCD163, a monocyte activation marker, was increased in elite controllers compared with chronic HIV-1 (P < 0.05) and compared with HIV-negative controls (P < 0.05). These data suggest a significant degree of coronary atherosclerosis and monocyte activation among elite controllers.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / physiopathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Artery Disease / immunology*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Viral Load / immunology