EcoHIV Infection Promotes Atherosclerosis Progression in LDLR-Deficient Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People with HIV are at higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease than uninfected individuals; however, the molecular mechanisms behind this association remain elusive due to the lack of suitable animal models.

Methods

To study the impact of HIV on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, we infected the atheroprone Ldlr^-/- mice with the chimeric virus EcoHIV.

Results

In comparison to uninfected controls, EcoHIV infection increased the ratio of circulating inflammatory monocytes, monocyte recruitment, and CD68⁺ content in the atherosclerotic lesion. These changes occurred independently of alterations in plasma lipid profile or lesion size between groups. Lesions of EcoHIV-infected mice displayed greater vulnerab

SUBMITTER: Pinos I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700074 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature