Potential anti-inflammatory effects of maraviroc in HIV-positive patients: A pilot study of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulation markers

Abstract

Persistent immune activation and chronic inflammation significantly contribute to non-AIDS morbidity in HIV-infected patients. The HIV inhibitor maraviroc (MVC) targets the cellular chemokine CCR5 HIV co-receptor, which is involved in important inflammatory pathways. MVC could have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, also reducing immune activation. We designed a pilot study to determine which plasma biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability were modified by MVC in 2 groups of 10 patients starting MVC-free or MVC-containing regimens. Ten age- and gender-matched healthy controls were also included. We found higher levels of all inflammatory biomarkers in HIV-infected patients compared to healthy controls. Both groups showed decreasing levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-10, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1a following the achievement of viral suppression. Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 levels were decreased in the MVC group and increased in the MVC-free group. In conclusion, some inflammatory biomarkers tend to decrease with the salvage regimen; MVC was not associated with a better impact on these measured markers.

Keywords::

• HIV infection
• maraviroc
• inflammation
• cytokines

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mr Thomas Charles Kilcline for his important editorial assistance.

Declaration of interest: No external funding was received for this study. No conflicts of interest to declare.