Conclusion
GLUT1-expressing intermediate monocytes are elevated in HIV-infected women with subclinical CVD. These cells may contribute to development of CVD in PLWH and could be a novel target to limit inflammation.
Methods
Participants with more than 75th percentile (n = 15) and less than 25th percentile (n = 15) age-adjusted intima-media thickness (IMT) at the right common carotid artery and bifurcation were identified from the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Groups were matched by age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and CD4 cell count. All women were receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy except for one high and one low IMT participant. Monocyte and T lymphocyte populations were evaluated for GLUT1 and CD38 expression using flow cytometry.
Objective
People living with HIV (PLWH) have chronic immune activation and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Activation of monocytes and T lymphocytes causes upregulation of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) for efficient function. PLWH have an increased percentage of GLUT1-expressing monocytes and T lymphocytes, but it is unclear if these cells are associated with CVD. We evaluated the expression of GLUT1 and CD38 on monocyte and T lymphocyte populations from HIV-infected women with subclinical CVD.
Results
Intermediate monocytes from high IMT women had significantly increased expression of GLUT1 (310 MFI vs. 210 MFI, P = 0.024) (66.4% vs. 48.5%, P = 0.031) and CD38 (339 MFI vs. 211 MFI, P = 0.002) (10.5% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.0002) compared with women with low IMT. High and low IMT participants showed no differences in GLUT1 or CD38 expression on classical monocytes, nonclassical monocytes, CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes.