Altered Lipidome Composition Is Related to Markers of Monocyte and Immune Activation in Antiretroviral Therapy Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection and in Uninfected Persons

Conclusions: The lipidome is altered in ART-treated HIV infection, and may contribute to inflammation and CVD progression. Detailed lipidomic analyses may better assess CVD risk in both HIV+ and HIV– individuals than does traditional lipid profiling. Introduction Both HIV infection and the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1, 2). Dyslipidemia is observed in HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals, and is associated with reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and elevated total (TC) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). Similar lipid abnormalities have been linked to the development of atherosclerosis in the general population (3), however, these basic lipid assessments may not sufficiently evaluate CVD risk in HIV+ individuals (4). Advances in quantitative mass spectrometry-based lipid analyses allow for more sensitive and extensive assessments of the lipidome (5). Lipids have diverse biological roles, including signal transduction, protein trafficking, and regulation of membrane permeability (6). The physiological importance of lipids is underscored by the various diseases associated with lipid abnormalities, including CVD, obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and Alzheimer's disease, many of which are increased in HIV infection (7–12). Moreover, t...
Source: Frontiers in Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research