NK Cell Dysregulation May Potentiate Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents with Perinatally Acquired HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy
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ABSTRACT: Perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can alter innate immune cells, (monocytes and natural killer [NK] cells) which are important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We compared cardiovascular biomarkers and immune signatures between PHIV adolescents on suppressive ART and HIV-unexposed, uninfected adolescents in Uganda. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was increased in PHIV, suggesting a higher CVD risk. Flow cytometry analysis revealed greater activation, memory, and migratory capabilities of NK cells, and increased pro-inflammatory intermediate monocytes in PHIV, and these were supported by transcriptomics. Many of these innate immune cell subsets displayed associations with carotid IMT. Plasma oxidized-LDL (Ox-LDL) was significantly lower among PHIVs, and negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory, memory-like NK subsets. We demonstrated increased uptake of Ox-LDL by macrophages in the presence of activated, memory-like NK cells in vitro, suggesting a possible mechanism for greater CVD risk in PHIV. Collectively, our data demonstrate associations between dysregulated NK cell signatures and increased CVD risk among PHIV adolescents.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE270500 | GEO | 2026/06/09
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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