Hepatic fibrosis and immune phenotype vary by HCV viremia in HCV/HIV co-infected subjects: A Women's interagency HIV study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Aug;95(33):e4483. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004483.

Abstract

HCV and HIV independently lead to immune dysregulation. The mechanisms leading to advanced liver disease progression in HCV/HIV coinfected subjects remain unclear.In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the association of HCV viremia, liver fibrosis, and immune response patterns in well-characterized HIV phenotypes: Elite controllers (Elites), HIV controlled (ARTc), and HIV uncontrolled (ARTuc) matched by age and race. Groups were stratified by HCV RNA status. Regulatory T-cell frequencies, T-cell activation (HLADR+CD38+), apoptosis (Caspase-3+), and intracellular cytokines (interferon-γ, IL-2, IL-17) were assessed using multiparametric flow-cytometry. Liver fibrosis was scored by AST to platelet ratio index (APRI).We found liver fibrosis (APRI) was 50% lower in Elites and ARTc compared to ARTuc. Higher liver fibrosis was associated with significantly low CD4+ T cell counts (P < 0.001, coefficient r = -0.463). Immune activation varied by HIV phenotype but was not modified by HCV viremia. HCV viremia was associated with elevated CD8 T-cell Caspase-3 in Elites, ARTuc, and HIV- except ARTc. CD8 T-cell Caspase-3 levels were significantly higher in HCV RNA+ Elites (P = 0.04) and ARTuc (P = 0.001) and HIV- groups (P = 0.02) than ARTc. Importantly, ARTuc HCV RNA+ had significantly higher CD4 T-cell interleukin-17 levels than ARTuc HCV RNA- (P = 0.005).HIV control was associated with lower liver fibrosis in HCV/HIV co-infected women. HCV viremia is associated with an inflammatory CD4 TH-17 phenotype in absence of HIV control and higher frequency of pro-apoptosis CD8 T-cells critical to avert progression of HIV and HCV disease that is attenuated in ART controllers. Elite controllers with HCV viremia are more prone to CD8 T-cell apoptosis than ART controllers, which could have negative consequences over time, highlighting the importance of ART control in HCV/HIV coinfected individuals.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Coinfection / complications*
  • Coinfection / immunology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / immunology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Viremia / complications*
  • Viremia / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Caspase 3