Effect of host factors and COVID-19 infection on the humoral immune repertoire in treated HIV

Abstract

People with HIV (PWH) appear to be at higher risk for suboptimal pathogen responses and for worse COVID-19 outcomes, but the effects of host factors and COVID-19 on the humoral repertoire remain unclear. We assessed the antibody isotype/subclass and Fc-receptor binding Luminex arrays of non–SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 humoral responses among antiretroviral therapy–treated (ART-treated) PWH. Among the entire cohort, COVID-19 infection was associated with higher cytomegalovirus (CMV) responses (vs. the COVID– cohort), potentially signifying increased susceptibility or a consequence of persistent inflammation. Among the COVID+ participants, (a) higher BMI was associated with a striking amplification of SARSCoV-2 responses, suggesting exaggerated inflammatory responses, and (b) lower nadir CD4 was associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 IgM and FcγRIIB binding capacity, indicating poorly functioning extrafollicular and inhibitory responses. Among the COVID-19– participants, female sex, older age, and lower nadir CD4 were associated with unique repertoire shifts. In this first comprehensive assessment of the humoral repertoire in a global cohort of PWH, we identify distinct SARS-CoV-2–specific humoral immune profiles among PWH with obesity or lower nadir CD4+ T cell count, underlining plausible mechanisms associated with worse COVID-19–related outcomes in this setting. Host factors associated with the humoral repertoire in the COVID-19–cohort enhance our understanding of these important shifts among PWH.