Role of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 in CD4+ depletion during HIV progression

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the role of Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor-1 (APAF-1) in CD4+ cell depletion among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.


Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 105 participants were enrolled, including 60 confirmed HIV-positive patients and 45 HIV-negative controls. HIV-positive patients were further divided based on CD4+ cell counts: Group 1 (<200), Group 2 (200–499), and Group 3 (≥500). An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used
to measure APAF-1 levels, and CD4+ T-cell counts were enumerated using a Cyflow counter. Independent student’s t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation were utilized as needed.


Results: Results showed significant reductions in lymphocytes, platelets, red blood cells, hemoglobin, albumin, and CD4+ cell values among HIV-infected individuals compared to controls. Conversely, APAF-1 and total protein levels were elevated in HIV-positive patients. Among HIV-positive groups, those with CD4+ cell counts <200 exhibited the highest median serum APAF-1 concentration. However, these differences were not statistically significant when compared with the other seropositive groups with CD4+ cell counts between 200 and 499 (P = 0.6726) and CD4+ cell counts of 500 or greater (P = 0.4325). The control group had the lowest median SAPAF-1 concentration, significantly different from HIV-positive groups. Positive correlations were observed between CD4+ counts and lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and hypoalbuminemia, while negative correlations were found between these parameters and APAF-1 levels.


Conclusion: APAF-1 is a host factor that potentially contributes to CD4+ cell depletion. Similarly, APAF-1, serum total protein, and albumin levels were found to be predictive of disease progression and could serve as valuable diagnostic biomarkers in the monitoring of HIV/AIDS.

Keywords:

Apoptotic protease activating factor-1, CD4+ T cell cytopenia human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome hypoalbumin progressor
Garuba, W. O., Adedeji, A. L., Adedokun, K. A., Ayelagbe, O. G., Abdullahi, I. N., & Ibrahim, M. (2024). Role of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 in CD4+ depletion during HIV progression. International Journal of Health Sciences, 18(3), 30–38. Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/8397
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