Discover How New Blood Markers Can Reveal Long-Term Health Risks for People Living with HIV

Scientists are unveiling important details about the health of individuals living with HIV, especially those who have been on long-term treatment. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective in controlling HIV, research shows that nearly half of these individuals still face significant health challenges. Ujjwal Neogi from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden states that despite successful virus control, long-term therapy can lead to immune system and metabolic issues that increase the risk of serious diseases.

Neogi and his team have pinpointed specific markers in the blood that could help predict these health risks. This breakthrough could improve the way we monitor and treat HIV, moving beyond just managing the virus.

HIV attacks the immune cells that fight infections, leaving people more susceptible to illness. Although ART effectively suppresses the virus, years of treatment can trigger chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders, raising the chances of heart disease and neurological problems. Recent data indicates that metabolic processes are closely tied to immune function. This means that how our body metabolizes food affects how well our immune system works, and vice versa.

To explore this connection, the researchers conducted one of the most comprehensive studies using “omics” technology. This cutting-edge approach examines numerous biological molecules in our cells. By analyzing blood samples, they looked into various factors, including genes and proteins, to identify connections between metabolism and immune health. Machine learning played a vital role in this research, helping to uncover hidden patterns in complex data.

Neogi emphasizes that personalized medicine is crucial for people with HIV. This means treatments must go beyond viral suppression, focusing on both metabolic and immune health. An analysis of 158 participants differentiated those at risk of complications based on their immune cell counts. The findings revealed five specific proteins that were present in higher levels in at-risk individuals, providing critical insights for future monitoring and treatment strategies.

In laboratory experiments, the team examined how chronic inflammation impacts brain cells and immune responses. They used brain organoids—miniature models of brain tissue—to study the influence of patient blood on cognitive function. Results showed that a pro-inflammatory environment could damage the communication pathways in the brain.

Similarly, they investigated monocytes, key immune cells that can develop into various immune types. The study found that constant activation of these cells, triggered by chronic inflammation, could impair their function, further affecting overall immunity.

While these findings are promising, they also highlight some limitations. The study primarily involved participants of Caucasian descent, raising questions about how these results might apply to more diverse populations. The five biomarkers discovered need further validation in broader studies to confirm their predictive value for health risks.

Neogi’s team is committed to advancing their research, focusing on how specific metabolic pathways contribute to immune dysfunction. They hope to develop treatment interventions that address these imbalances, potentially introducing new therapies that target metabolic health within the next 5-10 years.

In summary, long-term HIV treatment requires a comprehensive approach that considers both immune health and metabolism. Identifying specific biomarkers could lead to early interventions, helping to prevent serious complications for those living with HIV. By focusing on personalized medicine, we could dramatically improve the quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by this disease.

For more information on this research and its implications, check out the study published in Advanced Science here.

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