C-Reactive Protein as an Independent Cardiovascular Risk Predictor in HIV+ Patients: A Focused Review of Published Studies

Multiple substance use, inflammation and cardiac stretch in women living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure (HF) are disproportionately high in people living with HIV and differ by sex. Few CVD-related studies focus on drug use, yet it is common in low-income women living with HIV (WLWH) and increases cardiac dysfunction.

SETTING

We recruited unsheltered and unstably housed WLWH from San Francisco community venues to participate in a six-month cohort study investigating linkages between drug use, inflammation, and cardiac dysfunction.

METHODS

Adjusting for CVD risk factors, co-infections, medications, and menopause, we examined the effects of toxicology-confirmed drug use and inflammation (C-reactive protein, sCD14, sCD163 and sTNFR2) on levels of NT-proBNP, a biomarker of cardiac stretch and HF.

RESULTS

Among 74 WLWH, the median age was 53 years and 45 % were Black. At baseline, 72 % of participants had hypertension. Substances used included tobacco (65 %), cannabis (53 %), cocaine (49 %), methamphetamine (31 %), alcohol (28 %), and opioids (20 %). Factors significantly associated with NT-proBNP included cannabis use (Adjusted Relative Effect [ARE]: -39.6 %) and sTNFR2 (ARE: 65.5 %). Adjusting for heart failure and restricting analyses to virally suppressed persons did not diminish effects appreciably. Cannabis use was not significantly associated with sTNFR2 and did not change the association between sTNFR2 and NT-proBNP.

CONCLUSIONS

Among polysubstance-using WLWH, NT-proBNP levels signaling cardiac stretch were positively associated with sTNFR2, but 40 % lower in people who used cannabis. Whether results suggest that cardiovascular pathways associated with cannabis use mitigate cardiac stress and dysfunction independent of inflammation in WLWH who use multiple substances merits further investigation.

Are Physical Fitness and CRP Related to Framingham Risk Score in HIV+ Adults?

Background. People living with HIV (PLWH) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) predicts a 10-year CVD risk. Its relationships to physical fitness and C-reactive protein (CRP) are not well established. The current aim is to determine the links between FRS, physical fitness, and CRP in PLWH. Methods. Participants (n = 87) were assessed on multiple biomarkers. The FRS was calculated with the respective variables. Other variables that correlated significantly with FRS were entered into a regression equation to determine their relationship to FRS. Results. The FRS for men was more than twice that for women (12.8 vs 6.0, P < .001). Men were more fit than women, but most participants were not fit. Aerobic capacity was predictive of FRS in men, but not in women, and muscular strength was not predictive of FRS. Women had more than double the CRP compared with men (7.9 vs 3.5 mg/L, P < .01), and it was unrelated to FRS. Conclusions. In men, aerobic capacity was significantly predictive of FRS, but muscular strength and CRP were unrelated to FRS in both genders. These results do not conclusively demonstrate that physical fitness and CRP are related to FRS in PLWH.

Obesity in young South African women living with HIV: A cross-sectional analysis of risk factors for cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Young South African women are faced with a dual epidemic of HIV and obesity, placing them at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a cohort of reproductive-aged South African women living with HIV (WLHIV).

METHODS

While the main purpose of an ongoing intervention study is the reduction of cardiovascular disease through the integration of CVD screening and prevention in the HIV management plan for women of reproductive age (ISCHeMiA trial), we present the prevalence of risk factors for CVD in this cohort of young women at baseline. Sociodemographic, conventional CVD risk factors, HIV-related factors and self body image perception were assessed through study questionnaires and standardized clinical and laboratory procedures.

RESULTS

Of the 372 WLHIV enrolled from November 2018 to May 2019, 97% had received efavirenz-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least 1 year and 67.5% (248/367) of women were overweight or obese at the time of enrolment. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 17.6% (95%CI 11.6-22.8) at a median age of 35 years (IQR 30.5-40.5). A significant proportion of women had abnormally low levels of high-density lipoprotein (43.2%, 80/185) and elevated levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (59.5%, 110/185). Seventy five percent of overweight women with an increased waist circumference reported to be satisfied with their body image.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity and elevated markers of inflammation in young South African WLHIV, underscores the need for a proactive integrated management approach to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in low and middle income settings.

Assessing the differential impact of chronic CMV and treated HIV infection on CD8+ T-cell differentiation in a matched cohort study: is CMV the key?

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the main driving forces of T-cell senescence in the general population, whereas its differential impact in people living with HIV (PLWH) is less well characterized. The study explores the effect of latent CMV infection on T-cell subsets, monocyte/macrophages activation markers, and CRP in PLWH on long-term ART.

METHODS

Cross-sectional cohort study including PLWH on long-term suppressive ART. Individuals of 4 groups (HIV+CMV-, HIV+CMV+, HIV-CMV+, and HIV-CMV-) were matched 1:1:1:1 for age and sex. Immunophenotyping of lymphocyte and T-cell subsets by multicolor flow cytometry was performed in fresh blood samples collected from patients and healthy donors.

RESULTS

Both, latent CMV and treated HIV infection were associated with an expansion of CD8 T cells, a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio, and with CD8 T-cell activation with a cumulative effect in CMV/HIV-coinfected individuals. CMV was associated with elevated numbers of late effector and terminally differentiated CD8 T-cells. Compared to CMV monoinfection, CMV/HIV coinfection showed to be associated with lower proportion of CD28-CD8+ T cells expressing CD57 suggesting that HIV preferentially expands CD28-CD57-CD8+ T cells and impedes terminal differentiation of CD28-CD8+ T cells. We could not show any association between HIV or CMV infection status and concentration of CRP and CD163.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV infection is associated with phenotypic signs of T-cell senescence, promoting exacerbation and persistence of alterations of the T-cell compartment in PLWH on effective ART, which are associated with adverse clinical outcomes and may be an attractive target for therapeutic interventions.

Genome-wide association study of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and interleukin-6 levels in multiethnic HIV+ cohorts

OBJECTIVES

Elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are associated with increased incidence of comorbid disease and mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). Prior studies suggest a genetic basis for these biomarker elevations in the general population. The study objectives are to identify the genetic basis for these biomarkers among PLWH.

METHODS

Baseline levels of hsCRP, D-dimer, and IL-6, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined for 7768 participants in three HIV treatment trials. Single variant analysis was performed for each biomarker on samples from each of three ethnic groups [African (AFR), Admixed American (AMR), European (EUR)] within each trial including covariates relevant to biomarker levels. For each ethnic group, the results were pooled across trials, then further pooled across ethnicities.

RESULTS

The transethnic analysis identified three, two, and one known loci associated with hsCRP, D-dimer, and IL-6 levels, respectively, and two novel loci, FGB and GCNT1, associated with D-dimer levels. Lead SNPs exhibited similar effects across ethnicities. Additionally, three novel, ethnic-specific loci were identified: CATSPERG associated with D-dimer in AFR and PROX1-AS1 and TRAPPC9 associated with IL-6 in AFR and AMR, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Eleven loci associated with three biomarker levels were identified in PLWH from the three studies including six loci known in the general population and five novel loci associated with D-dimer and IL-6 levels. These findings support the hypothesis that host genetics may partially contribute to chronic inflammation in PLWH and help to identify potential targets for intervention of serious non-AIDS complications.

Plasma inflammatory biomarkers predict CD4+ T-cell recovery and viral rebound in HIV-1 infected Africans on suppressive antiretroviral therapy

This multi-country prospective study investigated whether persistent systemic inflammation, measured by eight plasma biomarkers, in HIV-1-infected Africans during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) (viral load<50 copies/mL), was associated with CD4+ T-cell recovery and viral rebound (>1,000 copies/mL) during long-term treatment. On-ART sCD14 and CRP concentrations were inversely associated with subsequent CD4+ T-cell counts. Risk of viral rebound was increased for participants with higher on-ART CXCL10 concentrations, and reduced for those with a greater sCD163 decline during the first year of ART. Persistent systemic inflammation predicted CD4+ T-cell recovery and viral rebound, warranting further mechanistic research in relation to clinical outcomes.

Lipids, biomarkers, and subclinical atherosclerosis in treatment-naive HIV patients starting or not starting antiretroviral therapy: Comparison with a healthy control group in a 2-year prospective study

Objective

To assess the effect of HIV infection and combined antiretroviral therapy (c-ART) on various proatherogenic biomarkers and lipids and to investigate their relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis in a cohort of treatment-naive HIV-infected patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective, comparative, multicenter study of 2 groups of treatment-naive HIV-infected patients (group A, CD4>500 cells/μL, not starting c-ART; and group B, CD4<500 cells/μL, starting c-ART at baseline) and a healthy control group. Laboratory analyses and carotid ultrasound were performed at baseline and at months 12 and 24. The parameters measured were low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle phenotype, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), sCD14, sCD163, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). A linear mixed model based on patient clusters was used to assess differences in biomarkers between the study groups and over time.

Results

The study population comprised 62 HIV-infected patients (group A, n = 31; group B, n = 31) and 22 controls. Age was 37 (30–43) years, and 81% were men. At baseline, the HIV-infected patients had a worse LDL particle phenotype and higher plasma concentration of sCD14, sCD163, hs-CRP, and LDL-Lp-PLA2 than the controls. At month 12, there was an increase in total cholesterol (p = 0.002), HDL-c (p = 0.003), and Apo A-I (p = 0.049) and a decrease in sCD14 (p = <0.001) and sCD163 (p<0.001), although only in group B. LDL particle size increased in group B at month 24 (p = 0.038). No changes were observed in group A or in the healthy controls. Common carotid intima-media thickness increased in HIV-infected patients at month 24 (Group A p = 0.053; group B p = 0.048). Plasma levels of sCD14, sCD163, and hs-CRP correlated with lipid values.

Conclusions

In treatment-naive HIV-infected patients, initiation of c-ART was associated with an improvement in LDL particle phenotype and inflammatory/immune biomarkers, reaching values similar to those of the controls. HIV infection was associated with progression of carotid intima-media thickness.

Elevated highly sensitive C-reactive protein and d-dimer levels are associated with food insecurity among people living with HIV in Pune, India

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Pune, India and its association with biomarkers known to confer increased risks of morbidity and mortality in this population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis assessing food insecurity using the standardized Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Participants were dichotomized into two groups: food insecure and food secure. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between socio-economic, demographic, clinical, biochemical factors and food insecurity.

SETTING

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals (BJGMC-SGH), Pune, a large publicly funded tertiary and teaching hospital in western India.ParticpantsAdult (≥18 years) PLWH attending the ART centre between September 2015 and May 2016 who had received ART for either ≤7d (ART-naïve) or ≥1 year (ART-experienced).

RESULTS

Food insecurity was reported by 40 % of 483 participants. Independent risk factors (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) included monthly family income &lt;INR 5000 (~70 USD; 13·2; CI 5·4, 32·2) and consuming ≥4 non-vegetarian meals per week (4·7; 1·9, 11·9). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥0·33 mg/dl (1·6; 1·04, 2·6) and d-dimer levels 0·19-0·31 µg/ml (1·6; 1·01, 2·6) and ≥0·32 µg/ml (1·9; 1·2, 3·2) were also associated with food insecurity.

CONCLUSIONS

More than a third of the study participants were food insecure. Furthermore, higher hs-CRP and d-dimer levels were associated with food insecurity. Prospective studies are required to understand the relationship between food insecurity, hs-CRP and d-dimer better.

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes in HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay and bisexual men over the age of 55 years in Australia: insights from the Australian Positive & Peers Longevity Evaluation Study

OBJECTIVES

As HIV-positive people age, diagnosis and management of comorbidities associated with ageing are of increasing concern. In this study, we aimed to compare the self-reported prevalences of heart disease, stroke, thrombosis and diabetes in older Australian HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay and bisexual men (GBM).

METHODS

We analysed data from the Australian Positive & Peers Longevity Evaluation Study (APPLES), a study of a prospectively recruited cross-sectional sample of 228 (51.1%) HIV-positive and 218 (48.9%) HIV-negative GBM, aged ≥ 55 years. Regression methods were used to assess the association of HIV status with self-reported comorbidities.

RESULTS

Of 446 patients, 389 [200 (51.4%) HIV-positive] reported their disease history. The reported prevalence of comorbidities was higher in the HIV-positive group than in the HIV-negative group: heart disease, 19.5 versus 12.2%; stroke, 7.5 versus 4.2%; thrombosis, 10.5 versus 4.2%; and diabetes, 15.0 versus 9.0%, respectively. In adjusted analyses, HIV-positive GBM had significantly increased odds of reporting heart disease [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.99; P = 0.03] and thrombosis (aOR 2.87; P = 0.01). In our analysis, HIV status was not significantly associated with either age at diagnosis of heart disease (median 53 years for HIV-positive GBM versus 55 years for HIV-negative GBM; P = 0.64) or 5-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimated using the Framingham risk score.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-positive GBM more commonly reported heart disease and thrombosis compared with their HIV-negative peers. These results further highlight the need to understand the impact of HIV on age-related comorbidities in GBM, to guide optimal screening and treatment strategies to reduce the risk of these comorbidities among the HIV-positive population.

Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Markers in the Era of Established Major Risk Factors and Multiple Guidelines

The non-traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that appear to be of most clinical interest include: apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, interleukin 1 (IL1), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], the density of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, the LDL particle number, tissue/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and uric acid. These non-traditional risk factors may be of value in adding further confirmation and attention to suspected significant CV risk. They can also provide a better understanding of current concepts of atherogenesis (e.g. various potential mechanisms associated with inflammation) as an etiology and in guiding current plus future therapies. In the mid-20th century, atherosclerosis and CV disease were considered mechanistic occurrences with essentially no attention to possible metabolic and molecular etiologies. Therefore, the only treatments then centered around mainly surgical procedures to try to improve blood flow, first with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and later coronary artery disease (CAD). Now, failure to treat CV risk factors, especially where there is good evidence-based medicine, as in the case of statins for high CV risk patients, is considered medical negligence. Nevertheless, many problems remain to be solved regarding atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.