Distinct cellular immune properties in cerebrospinal fluid are associated with cognition in HIV-infected individuals initiating antiretroviral therapy.

We examined the relationship between CSF immune cells and neurocognition and neuronal damage in HIV+ individuals before and after initiating antiretroviral therapy. Multivariate analysis at baseline indicated that greater CD4+ T cell abundance was associated with better cognition (p = .017), while higher CSF HIV RNA was associated with increased neuronal damage (p = .014). Following 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy, CD8+ T cells, HLA-DR expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, NK cells, and non-classical monocyte percentage decreased in CSF. Female gender was negatively associated with cognitive performance over time, as was higher percentage of HLA-DR expressing CD8+ T cells at baseline.

Soluble membrane attack complex in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-infected individuals, relationship to HIV RNA, and comparison with HIV negatives.

The soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC) represents the terminal product of the complement cascade. We enrolled 47 HIV+ adults (12 of whom underwent a second visit at least 24weeks after starting therapy) as well as 11 HIV negative controls. At baseline, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sMAC was detectable in 27.7% of HIV+ individuals. CSF sMAC correlated with CSF HIV RNA levels and was more likely to be detectable in HIV+ individuals on cART compared to HIV negative controls. In HIV+ participants, there were negative association trends between sMAC and neurocognitive performance but these did not reach statistical significance.