The role of T cells in the development of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in HIV-infected patients. Besides the classical cardiovascular risk factors, HIV related factors play a role, such as immune activation and treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The resulting T cell activation is regarded as one of the driving forces behind this accelerated atherogenesis. Interventions, such as early treatment and anti-inflammatory therapy, decreasing T cell activation might lead to a lower incidence of CVD in future HIV infected patients. This review specifically explores the role of T cells in the development of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; CD4+ T cells; CD8+ T cells; Cardiovascular disease; Coagulation markers; Endothelial markers; HIV; HIV-infection; Immune activation; Inflammatory markers; Monocyte activation; Monocytes; T cell activation.