Dysregulation of iron metabolism modulators in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.977316
• Publication Date: 2022-11-25T05:34:17Z
• Authors: Vanesa Garrido-Ro...; Ana Isabel Álvare...; Israel Olivas-Mar...; María del Mar Poz...; Ángel Bulnes-Ramos; Manuel Leal; Yolanda María Pac...
• Keywords: Transferrin saturation; Soluble transferrin receptor; Transferrin receptor; Total iron-binding capacity

Iron metabolism plays an essential role in cellular functions. Since virologically suppressed chronic HIV-infected subjects under effective antiretroviral treatment (ART) exhibit a persistent immune dysfunction that leads to comorbidities, iron homeostasis may be relevant this context. We aimed explore HIV infected successful ART.In retrospective study, traditional biomarkers (total iron, ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation index), as well soluble receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, inflammatory markers were determined at least 2 years of ART (HIV) who also had >350 CD4-T-cells/mm3 (N=92) from Spain. As controls, we collected non-HIV age-matched healthy donors (Young, N=25) elderly (>65 old; Elderly; N=25). Additionally, external group patients with ferritin<50 ng/mL diagnosed absolute deficiency (Ferropenic group; N=84) was included. Comparisons between groups performed using Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U-tests, while associations variables explored by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient.We selected samples (aged 42[34-47], 95% males), young 40[30-58], 60% controls 82[78-88], 100% males). Compared both (Young Elderly) groups, exhibited decreased saturation, sTfR, increased but similar hepcidin levels. Notably, sTfR r=-0.587, p=0.002; Elderly, r=-0.496, p=0.012) index r=-0.581, r=-0.489, p=0.013) negative positive (r=0.464, p<0.0001 r=0.421, p<0.0001, respectively). Moreover, the expected observed r=-0.533, p=0.006; r=-0.473, p=0.017), absent (r=0.082; p=0.438). Interestingly, profile differed Elderly one, despite their inflammaging-related profile, succeed maintaining these associations. Furthermore, ferropenic 42[32-51], 5% showing significantly lower levels higher expected, reflected correlations those Young contrast HIV.Virologically altered modulators suggesting complex functional deficiency.