The mid-term impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on senescence profile
and immune checkpoints in people living with HIV.
Abstract
The mid-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on senescence profile and
immune checkpoints biomarkers in people living with HIV (PLWH) was
assessed. Cross-sectional study in 95 PLWH on ART stratified by
SARS-CoV-2 infection: a) 48 PLWH previously infected (PCR+) (HIV/SARS);
b) 47 PLWH controls without previous infection (HIV). Plasma biomarkers
(n=44) related to cell immune checkpoint molecules, associated with the
Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), and related to pro and
anti-inflammatory cytokines were assessed by Procartaplex Multiplex
Immunoassays (Xmap-Luminex technology). Differences between groups were
analyzed using a generalized linear model, adjusted by sex and ethnicity
and corrected by false discovery rate. Significant values were defined
as the adjusted arithmetic mean ratio ≥1.2 or ≤0.8;
q-value<0.1. The relationship between plasma biomarkers was
evaluated by Spearman correlation (significant correlations rho≥0.3 and
q-value<0.1). PLWH had a median age of 45 years and 80% were
men. All PLWH infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a symptomatic infection, 83.3%
as mild, and with a median of 12 weeks after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2
infection. HIV/SARS group showed higher levels of the cell immune
checkpoint plasma biomarkers CD80, PDCD1LG2, CD276, PDCD1, CD47, HAVCR2,
TIMD4, TNFRSF9, TNFRSF18, and TNFRSF14 respect to HIV group. The SASP
biomarkers LTA, CXCL8, and IL13 and the inflammatory biomarkers IL4,
IL12B, IL17A, CCL3, CCL4, and INF1A showed significantly higher levels
in the HIV/SARS group. SARS-CoV-2 infection in PLWH leads to significant
medium-term disruption in plasma immune checkpoint molecules and
inflammatory cytokines, highlighting SASP-related. This could be a risk
factor for the emergence of complications in PLWH.