Serum apoptosis markers in HIV-infected patients with human herpesvirus type 8 and herpes simplex virus type 2 co-infection

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012 Dec;31(12):3303-8. doi: 10.1007/s10096-012-1696-5. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) co-infections on apoptosis serum markers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Sera from 110 HIV-infected and 59 HIV-uninfected individuals were analyzed for soluble Fas (sFas), sFas ligand (sFasL), caspase-8, and Bcl-2. The findings of HIV-infected patients with no co-infection (n = 37), HIV-infected patients with HHV-8 co-infection (n = 22), HIV-infected patients with HSV-2 co-infection (n = 51), and patients with HSV-2 co-infection and no HIV infection (n = 20) were compared to controls (reference group) with no HIV, HSV-2, and HHV-8 co-infections (n = 39). Soluble Fas and sFasL concentrations were the highest in HIV and HHV-8 co-infected patients (medians, 912.7 pg/ml and 74.3 pg/mL, respectively). No difference in caspase-8 concentrations was found, whereas Bcl-2 concentrations were the highest in HIV and HHV-8 co-infected individuals. Older age was associated with higher sFas (p < 0.001) and lower sFasL (p = 0.04) concentrations. In a robust regression model adjusted for age, the log-transformed sFas concentrations were significantly lower in HIV-infected patients with no co-infections (β = -0.244; p < 0.001) and higher in HIV and HHV-8 co-infected patients (β = 0.216; p = 0.012) compared to the reference group. Soluble FasL was significantly lower in HIV-infected patients with no co-infections (β = -0.284; p = 0.005) and in HIV-infected patients with HSV-2 co-infection (β = -0.381; p < 0.001) compared to the reference group. Soluble FasL was also higher in HIV and HHV-8 co-infected patients compared to controls (β = 0.248; p = 0.036). Our results suggest that HHV-8 and HSV-2 may have a significant effect on Fas-FasL-mediated apoptosis in HIV-1 patients. HHV-8 upregulates while HSV-2 downregulates sFas and sFasL.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Apoptosis*
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Coinfection / pathology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fas Ligand Protein / blood
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • Herpesviridae Infections / pathology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / pathogenicity
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Serum / chemistry
  • fas Receptor / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • fas Receptor