S100A8 and S100A9, Biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Other Diseases, Suppress HIV Replication in Primary Macrophages

S100A8 and S100A9 are members of the Alarmin family; these proteins are abundantly expressed in neutrophils, form a heterodimer complex, and are secreted in plasma on pathogen infection or acute inflammatory diseases. Recently, both proteins were identified as novel biomarkers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and were shown to play key roles in inducing an aggressive inflammatory response by mediating the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, called the cytokine storm. Although co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV-1 may result in an immunocompromised status, the role of the S100A8/A9 complex in HIV-1 replication in primary T cells and macrophages is still unclear. Here, we evaluated the roles of the proteins in HIV replication to elucidate their functions. We found that the complex had no impact on virus replication in both cell types; however, the subunits of S100A8 and S100A9 inhibit HIV in macrophages. These findings provide important insights into the regulation of HIV viral loads during SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.

Automated summary

S100A8 and S100A9 proteins play important roles in inflammation and infection, and they have been identified as novel biomarkers for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their role in HIV replication is still unclear. This study found that these proteins inhibit HIV in macrophages but have no impact on T cells.