CD4+ T cells expressing CX3CR1, GPR56, with variable CD57 are associated with cardiometabolic diseases in persons with HIV

Persons with HIV (PWH) on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) have a higher incidence and prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases attributed, in part, to persistent inflammation despite viral suppression. In addition to traditional risk factors, immune responses to co-infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) may play an unappreciated role in cardiometabolic comorbidities and offer new potential therapeutic targets in a subgroup of individuals. We assessed the relationship of CX3CR1(+), GPR56(+), and CD57(+/-) T cells (termed CGC(+)) with comorbid conditions in a cohort of 134 PWH co-infected with CMV on long-term ART. We found that PWH with cardiometabolic diseases (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, calcified coronary arteries, or diabetes) had higher circulating CGC(+)CD4(+) T cells compared to metabolically healthy PWH. The traditional risk factor most correlated with CGC(+)CD4(+) T cell frequency was fasting blood glucose, as well as starch/sucrose metabolites. While unstimulated CGC(+)CD4(+) T cells, like other memory T cells, depend on oxidative phosphorylation for energy, they exhibited higher expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A compared to other CD4(+) T cell subsets, suggesting a potentially greater capacity for fatty acid beta-oxidation. Lastly, we show that CMV-specific T cells against multiple viral epitopes are predominantly CGC(+). Together, this study suggests that among PWH, CGC(+) CD4(+) T cells are frequently CMV-specific and are associated with diabetes, coronary arterial calcium, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Future studies should assess whether anti-CMV therapies could reduce cardiometabolic disease risk in some individuals.

Automated summary

People with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy have a higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases, partly due to persistent inflammation despite viral suppression. Immune responses to co-infections, such as cytomegalovirus, may contribute to these comorbidities and could be targeted for potential therapies.