Alteration of type I interferon response is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected male patients

Given human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients have alterations in the type I interferon (IFN-I) pathway and are also at elevated risk of atherosclerosis, we evaluated IFN-I response and subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) association in HIV-1-infected patients. Transcript levels of IFN-α/β and IFN-stimulated gene 56 (ISG56) were evaluated by RT/real-time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from asymptomatic HIV-1-positive male patients at high risk of developing CVD (n = 34) and healthy subjects (n = 21). Stenosis degree (≥ or <50%), calcium volume score, calcium Agatston score, and myocardial extracellular volume were examined by coronary computerized tomography scan. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), Framingham risk score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) score, and risk score developed by data collection on adverse effects of anti-HIV drugs (D:A:D) were also measured. Increased IFN-α, IFN-β, and ISG56 levels were observed in all HIV-1-infected males compared to healthy controls (p <.001 for all genes analyzed). HIV-1-infected patients with a stenosis degree ≥50% showed a higher Framingham risk score (p =.019), which was correlated with IFN-β and ISG56 levels. HIV-1-infected males with enhanced IFN-I levels and stenosis displayed a higher ASCVD calculated risk (p =.011) and D:A:D score (p =.004). Also, there was a trend toward higher IFN-α and ISG56 mRNA levels in HIV-1-positive patients with an increased cIMT (p >.05). Dysregulation of IFN-I response might participate in the pathogenesis of HIV-1-associated CVD.