Macrophage inflammatory markers are associated with subclinical carotid artery disease in women with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus infection.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be associated with atherosclerosis and vascular disease. Macrophages are a major component of atherosclerotic plaque, and classically activated (M1) macrophages contribute to plaque instability. Our goal was to identify plasma biomarkers that reflect macrophage inflammation and are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.

Approach and results

We tested whether M1 macrophages produce galectin-3-binding protein in vitro. Then, we measured galectin-3-binding protein and the soluble macrophage biomarkers soluble cluster of differentiation (CD) 163 and soluble CD14 in 264 participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Women were positive for HIV, HCV, both, or neither (66 in each gr

SUBMITTER: Shaked I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4067091 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature