Markers of tissue repair and cellular aging are increased in the liver tissue of patients with HIV infection regardless of presence of HCV coinfection

Abstract

Liver disease is a leading cause of HIV-related mortality. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related fibrogenesis is accelerated in the setting of HIV coinfection, yet the mechanisms underlying this aggressive pathogenesis are unclear. We identified formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded liver tissue for HIV-infected patients, HCV-infected patients, HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, and controls at Duke University Medical Center. De-identified sections were stained for markers against the wound repair Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, resident T-lymphocytes, and immune activation and cellular aging. HIV infection was independently associated with Hh activation and markers of immune dysregulation in the liver tissue.