HIV infection in men was associated with higher sCD163 levels and a greater presence of coronary plaque (61% vs 39%; P=0.03) compared to seronegative controls.
Cross-Sectional (n=143)
Are sCD163 levels elevated and associated with noncalcified coronary plaque in HIV-infected men compared to HIV-seronegative controls?
sCD163, a marker of monocyte/macrophage activation, is elevated and independently associated with noncalcified coronary plaque in men with chronic HIV infection, suggesting a role for immune activation in vulnerable plaque development.
Absolute Event Rate: 61% vs 39%
p-value: p=0.03
BACKGROUND: Pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages may contribute to increased atherosclerosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We investigate--to our knowledge, for the first time--sCD163 and other markers of monocyte activation in relationship to atherosclerotic plaque in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: One hundred two HIV-infected and 41 HIV-seronegative men with equivalent cardiovascular risk factors and without history of coronary artery disease were prospectively recruited and underwent computed tomography coronary angiography. RESULTS: sCD163 levels and presence of plaque were significantly higher among antiretroviral-treated subjects with undetectable HIV RNA levels, compared with seronegative controls (1172 ± 646 vs. 883 ± 561 ng/mL P = .02 for sCD163 and 61% vs. 39% P = .03 for presence of plaque). After adjusting for age, race, lipids, blood pressure, glucose, smoking, sCD14, and HIV infection, sCD163 remained independently associated with noncalcified plaque (P = .008). Among HIV-infected patients, sCD163 was associated with coronary segments with noncalcified plaque (r = 0.21; P = .04), but not with calcium score. In contrast, markers of generalized inflammation, including C-reactive protein level, and D-dimer were not associated with sCD163 or plaque among HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: sCD163, a monocyte/macrophage activation marker, is increased in association with noncalcified coronary plaque in men with chronic HIV infection and low or undetectable viremia. These data suggest a potentially important role of chronic monocyte/macrophage activation in the development of noncalcified vulnerable plaque. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00455793.
Burdo et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in HIV infection (n=143). HIV infection vs. HIV-seronegative controls was evaluated on presence of coronary plaque (p=0.03). HIV infection in men was associated with higher sCD163 levels and a greater presence of coronary plaque (61% vs 39%; P=0.03) compared to seronegative controls.