Soluble CD163, a novel marker of activated macrophages, is elevated and associated with noncalcified coronary plaque in HIV-infected patients

J Infect Dis. 2011 Oct 15;204(8):1227-36. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir520.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, CD / blood
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / blood
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / immunology*
  • Chemokine CCL2 / blood
  • Chemokine CCL2 / immunology
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / blood
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / immunology
  • Macrophage Activation / drug effects
  • Macrophage Activation / immunology*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteopontin / blood
  • Osteopontin / immunology
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / immunology
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / virology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / blood
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CCL2 protein, human
  • CD163 antigen
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Osteopontin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00455793