Anti-apolipoprotein A-1 autoantibodies are associated with immunodeficiency and systemic inflammation in HIV patients

• Published in: The Journal of infection 2018-02, Vol.76 (2), p.186-195
• Main Authors: Satta, Nathalie, Pagano, Sabrina, Montecucco, Fabrizio, Gencer, Baris, Aubert, V., Barth, J., Battegay, M., Bernasconi, E., Böni, J., Bucher, H.C., Burton-Jeangros, C., Calmy, A., Cavassini, M., Egger, M., Elzi, L., Fehr, J., Fellay, J., Francioli, P., Furrer, H., Fux, C.A., Gorgievski, M., Günthard, H., Haerry, D., Hasse, B., Hirsch, H.H., Hirschel, B., Hösli, I., Kahlert, C., Kaiser, L., Keiser, O., Kind, C., Klimkait, T., Kovari, H., Ledergerber, B., Martinetti, G., Martinez de Tejada, B., Metzner, K., Müller, N., Nadal, D., Pantaleo, G., Rauch, A., Regenass, S., Rickenbach, M., Rudin, C., Schmid, P., Schultze, D., Schöni-Affolter, F., Schüpbach, J., Speck, R., Taffé, P., Tarr, P., Telenti, A., Trkola, A., Vernazza, P., Weber, R., Yerly, S., Mach, François, Kaiser, Laurent, Calmy, Alexandra, Vuilleumier, Nicolas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-apoA-1 IgG; Apolipoprotein A-I - immunology; Apoptosis; Autoantibodies; Autoantibodies - blood; Autoantibodies - immunology; Biomarkers - blood; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - virology; Cell Line; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - immunology; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes - etiology; Inflammation; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; RNA, Viral - immunology
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.11.008

•The prevalence of anti-apoA-1 autoantibodies is elevated in HIV patients.•Correlation of anti-apoA-1 antibodies with low count of CD4+ copies is found.•Correlation of anti-apoA-1 antibodies with high level of HIV RNA is found.•Anti-apoA-1 antibodies induced the apoptosis of CD4+ cell line SUPT1. To determine the existence of autoantibodies against apolipoprotein A-1 (anti-apoA-1 IgG) in HIV patients and explore their association with biological features of HIV infection and different inflammatory biomarkers. We also evaluated their impact on CD4+ lymphocytes survival. Anti-apoA-1 IgG plasma levels were assessed by ELISA in 237 HIV positive patients from a national prospective cohort with no current lipid-lowering therapy. 58% of patients were found positive for anti-apoA-1 IgG and were associated with lower CD4+ counts, but higher viremia and systemic inflammation. Logistic regression analyses indicated that high anti-apoA-1 IgG levels were associated with a 16-fold increased risk of displaying low CD4+ levels, independent of HIV RNA levels and treatment (adjusted Odds ratio [OR]:16.1, 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI]:1.80–143.6; p = 0.01), and a 6-fold increased risk of having a detectable viremia, independent of antiretroviral treatment (OR:5.47; 95% CI:1.63–18.36; p = 0.006). In vitro, anti-apoA-1 IgG induced dose and time-dependent CD4+ apoptosis that was increased by exposure to HIV RNA. In HIV patients, anti-apoA-1 IgG levels are associated with low CD4+ counts, high viremia and a pro-inflammatory systemic profile. Anti-apoA-1 IgG can promote CD4+ lymphocyte apoptosis via undefined pathways.