Association between tight junction proteins and cognitive performance in untreated persons with HIV

Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) still affects persons with HIV (PWH) and their pathogenesis is not completely understood. We aimed to explore the association between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment and HAND in untreated PWH. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: We enrolled untreated PWH, who underwent blood examinations and lumbar puncture to measure inflammation (IL-15, TNF-α), BBB damage (zonulin and tight junction proteins, tight junction proteins: occludin, claudin-5) and endothelial adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1). A comprehensive neurocognitive battery was used to diagnose HAND (Frascati criteria). Results: Twenty-one patients (21/78, 26.9%) patients presented HAND (100% ANI). HAND patients displayed more frequently non-CNS AIDS-defining conditions, lower nadir CD4+ T cells and increased CD4+ T-cell exhaustion (lower CD4+CD127+ and CD4+CD45RA+ T-cell percentages), in comparison to individuals without cognitive impairment. Furthermore, HAND was characterized by higher plasma inflammation (IL-15) but lower CSF levels of biomarkers of BBB impairment (zonulin and occludin). The association between BBB damage with HAND was confirmed by fitting a multivariable logistic regression. CSF/plasma endothelial adhesion molecules were not associated with HAND but with a poor performance in different cognitive domains. Conclusion: By showing heightened inflammation and BBB impairment, our study suggests loss of BBB integrity as a possible factor contributing to the development of HAND in untreated PWH.