RT journal article
T1 Persistent inflammatory activation in people living with HIV. Involvement in atherosclerosis
A1 Illanes Álvarez, Francisco
A1 Márquez Ruiz, Denisse
A1 Cuesta Sancho, Sara
A1 Campaña-Gómez, Irene
A1 Martín-Aspas, Andrés
A1 Tinoco-Racero, Ismael
A1 Márquez-Coello, Mercedes
A1 Girón-González, José Antonio
A2 Medicina
K1 HIV
K1 proinflammatory cytokines
K1 endothelial activation
K1 platelet activation
K1 atherosclerosis
K1 cardiovascular risk factors
AB Background: An increased prevalence of atherosclerosis has been observedin people living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to analyze levels ofinflammatory, immune, endothelial, platelet, and coagulation parameters, aswell as their relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis.Methods: A total of 120 PLWH with chronic infection and undetectable HIV load,along with 30 age- and sex-matched controls (HIV-uninfected individuals), wereselected. Serum levels of proinflammatory molecules, including interleukin 6(IL-6), soluble CD163, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, were measured.Additionally, neutrophil extracellular traps (NET)-derived parameters (antinucleosomeantibody titers and myeloperoxidase concentrations), activated Tlymphocytes, endothelial (E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), platelet(P-selectin, Platelet factor 4) and coagulation (D-dimer) markers were assessed.Cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated using the REGICOR and ASCVD riskestimators. In a subset of 61 individuals (18 controls and 43 PLWH), subclinicalatherosclerosis was assessed by carotid Doppler ultrasound.Results: Levels of IL-6, sCD163, anti-nucleosome antibodies, and activated Tlymphocytes were elevated in PLWH compared to controls. Likewise, serumlevels of platelet factor 4 and D-dimer were higher in PLWH. Those PLWH withcarotid atherosclerotic lesions exhibited higher REGICOR and ASCVD scores, aswell as elevated IL-6 concentrations, compared to those PLWH without carotidatherosclerotic lesions. Multivariable analysis identified the REGICOR score andIL-6 serum levels as independent factors associated with atherosclerosis.Conclusion: People living with HIV with long-term viral load control exhibitincreased levels of inflammatory, immune, platelet and coagulation markers.Subclinical atherosclerosis in this population is independently influenced by bothclassic cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory activation.
PB Vivek P Chavda
SN 2296-858X
YR 2025
FD 2025-07-11
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37875
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37875
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 10-may-2026