Inflammatory co-morbidities in HIV+ individuals: learning lessons from healthy ageing

Anna Clare Hearps, Genevieve Martin, Reena Rajasuriar, Suzanne Mary Crowe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increased life expectancy due to improved efficacy of cART has uncovered an increased risk of age-related morbidities in HIV+ individuals and catalyzed significant research into mechanisms driving these diseases. HIV infection increases the risk of non-communicable diseases common in the aged, including cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive decline, non-AIDS malignancies, osteoporosis, and frailty. These observations suggest that HIV accelerates immunological ageing, and there are many immunological similarities with the aged, including shortened telomeres, accumulation of senescent T cells and altered monocyte phenotype/function. However, the most critical similarity between HIV+ individuals and the elderly, which most likely underpins the heightened risk of non-communicable diseases, is chronic inflammation and associated immune activation. Here, we review the similarities between HIV+ individuals and the aged regarding the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, the current evidence for mechanisms driving these processes and discuss current and potential therapeutic strategies for addressing inflammatory co-morbidity in HIV+ infection.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20 - 34
Number of pages15
JournalCurrent HIV/AIDS Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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