High plasma CXCL10 levels are associated with HCV-genotype 1, and higher insulin resistance, fibrosis, and HIV viral load in HIV/HCV coinfected patients

Background

CXCL10 may contribute to the host immune response against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), liver disease progression, and response to HCV antiviral therapy. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship among virological, immunological, and clinical characteristics with plasma CXCL10 levels in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study on 144 patients. CXCL10 and insulin were measured using an immunoassay kit. The degree of insulin resistance was estimated for each patient using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) method. Insulin resistance was defined as a HOMA index higher than or equal to 3.8. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio (APRI), FIB-4, Forns index, HGM1, and HGM2 were calculated.

Results

The variables associated with log₁₀ CXCL10 levels by univariate analysis were age (b = 0.013; p = 0.023), prior AIDS-defining condition (b = 0.127; p = 0.045), detectable plasma HIV viral load (b = 0.092; p = 0.006), log₁₀ HOMA (b = 0.216; p = 0.002), HCV-genotype 1 (b = 0.114; p = 0.071), and liver fibrosis assessed by all non-invasive indexes (log₁₀ APRI (b = 0.296; p = 0.001), log₁₀ FIB-4 (b = 0.436; p < 0.001), log₁₀ Forns index (b = 0.591; p < 0.001), log₁₀ HGM1 (b = 0.351; p = 0.021), and log₁₀ HGM2 (b = 0.215; p = 0.018)). However, in multivariate analysis, CXCL10 levels were only associated with HOMA, detectable plasma HIV viral load, HCV-genotype 1 and FIB-4 (R-square = 0.235; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Plasma CXCL10 levels were influenced by several characteristics of patients related to HIV and HCV infections, insulin resistance, and liver fibrosis, indicating that CXCL10 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of both HCV and HIV infections.