Host Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Biomarkers of Neuronal Damage and Inflammation in People Living with HIV

Background Blood brain barrier impairment is frequent in people living with HIV (PLWH), affecting the penetration of target cells and antiretrovirals into the central nervous system, through transporters (e.g. ABCB1), leading to neuroinflammation. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify variants of genes encoding transporters able to predict neuroinflammation biomarker levels. Materials and Methods Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were obtained from PLWH. CSF biomarkers were quantified by commercial assays. Genetic variants were evaluated through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results 107 PLWH (163 samples) were included in the study: 79% were male, median age was 48.5 years, CD4% was 25%, HIV-associated neurolocognitive disorder (HAND) was observed in 17.8% of patients. ABCB1 2677G>T genetic variant showed a different allelic distribution according to the clinical group (p=0.026).In linear regression analyses, HIV-related central nervous system disorders, ABCG2 1194+928CC genotype, log viral load, CSAR, β-1,42 levels and CSF proteins were retained in the final model as factors independently associated with CSF neopterin levels; CSF proteins and integrase inhibitors use were associated with CSF tau level in the multivariate model. Phospho-tau regression analysis reported ABCB1 2677GT/TT genotype and CSF proteins as predictors in the final model; gender and protease inhibitors, neopterin, ABCB1 2677 GT/ TT genotype resulted predictors in the multivariate regression for β-1,42. Conclusions For the first time, pharmacogenetic and clinical features were predictors of neuro-inflammation biomarkers.