Soluble biomarkers of HIV-1-related systemic immune activation are associated with high plasma levels of growth factors implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi sarcoma in adults

• Published in: Frontiers in immunology 2023-09, Vol.14, p.1216480-1216480
• Main Authors: Nana, Benderli Christine, Esemu, Livo Forgu, Besong, Michael Ebangha, Atchombat, Derrick Hyacinthe Nyasse, Ogai, Kazuhiro, Sobgui, Thérèse M Patricia, Nana, Chris Marco Mbianda, Seumko'o, Reine Medouen Ndeumou, Awanakan, Honoré, Ekali, Gabriel Loni, Leke, Rose Gana Fomban, Okamoto, Shigefumi, Ndhlovu, Lishomwa C, Megnekou, Rosette
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; Adult; Cameroon; FGF acidic; Herpesviridae Infections - complications; Herpesvirus 8, Human; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; IgG anti HHV8; Immunology; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; Sarcoma, Kaposi - complications; Sarcoma, Kaposi - pathology; systemic immune activation; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; VEGF
• ISSN: 1664-3224; 1664-3224
• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1216480

Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a multicentric angio-proliferative cancer commonly associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. KS pathogenesis is a multifactorial condition hinged on immune dysfunction yet the mechanisms underlying the risk of developing KS in HHV-8 seropositive adults remains unclear. Here we explored whether soluble markers of HIV-1-related systemic immune activation (SIA) and angiogenesis (VEGF and FGF acidic) are involved in the pathogenesis of KS in adults with HHV8. Blood samples from 99 HIV-1 infected and 60 HIV-1 uninfected adults were collected in Yaoundé, Cameroon. CD3+/CD4+ T cell counts and HIV-1 plasma viral load were determined using the Pima Analyzer and the RT-PCR technique, respectively. Plasma levels of SIA biomarkers (sCD163, sCD25/IL-2Rα, and sCD40/TNFRSF5) and biomarkers of progression to KS (VEGF and FGF acidic) were measured using the Luminex assay. Seropositivity (IgG) for HHV-8 was determined using the ELISA method. Overall, 20.2% (20/99) of HIV-1 infected and 20% (12/60) of HIV-1 uninfected participants were seropositive for HHV8. Levels of sCD163, sCD25/IL-2Rα, sCD40/TNFRSF5, and FGF acidic were higher in the HIV-1 and HHV8 co-infection groups compared to the HIV-1 and HHV8 uninfected groups (all P