Persistent pneumococcal colonisation in antiretroviral-treated HIV infection is associated with nasal inflammation.

ABSTRACT: Despite systemic viral suppression, people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) remain highly susceptible to pneumococcal colonisation and disease. Here, we show that long-term ART does not restore nasal mucosal immunity. Using flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, and neutrophil functional assays, we identify a persistent mucosal immune signature in PLHIV-ART > 1 yr marked by epithelial-driven neutrophilic inflammation, T cell exhaustion, and cellular senescence. Neutrophils exhibit mitochondrial stress, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) gene expression, and impaired oxidative burst, particularly in individuals with pneumococcal carriage. Epithelial cells express elevated neutrophil-recruiting ligand genes, while nasal T cells display pro-apoptotic

SUBMITTER: Phiri JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808677 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature