Immune Activation, Inflammation, and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities in HIV-Infected Patients under Long-Term ART

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) still present persistent chronic immune activation and inflammation. This condition is the result of several factors including thymic dysfunction, persistent antigen stimulation due to low residual viremia, microbial trans...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sonia Zicari, Libera Sessa, Nicola Cotugno, Alessandra Ruggiero, Elena Morrocchi, Carlo Concato, Salvatore Rocca, Paola Zangari, Emma C. Manno, Paolo Palma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-02-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
HIV
ART
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/11/3/200
Description
Summary:Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) still present persistent chronic immune activation and inflammation. This condition is the result of several factors including thymic dysfunction, persistent antigen stimulation due to low residual viremia, microbial translocation and dysbiosis, caused by the disruption of the gut mucosa, co-infections, and cumulative ART toxicity. All of these factors can create a vicious cycle that does not allow the full control of immune activation and inflammation, leading to an increased risk of developing non-AIDS co-morbidities such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of the most recent data about HIV-associated inflammation and chronic immune exhaustion in PLWH under effective ART. Furthermore, we discuss new therapy approaches that are currently being tested to reduce the risk of developing inflammation, ART toxicity, and non-AIDS co-morbidities.
ISSN:1999-4915