Three-Month cART Initiated During Primary HIV Does Not Correct the Structural, Immune, and Microbial Abnormalities within the Gastrointestinal Tract

Background: HIV infection leads to profound alterations of gut structure, immunity, and microbiome, resulting in immune activation and inflammation, which drive the development of non-infectious comorbidities. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the chronic stages of disease does not correct such abnormalities; however, the effect of viro-suppressive treatment in the gastrointestinal tract during primary HIV infection (PHI) is largely unknown. We studied the effects of 12-week cART on gastrointestinal (GI) structure, immunity, and mucosal microbiome in people living with HIV (PLWH) with PHI. Methods: Eleven participants with PHI enrolled in the INACTION trial underwent colonoscopy with ileum and colon biopsies, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and plasma collection, prior to and at 12 weeks of cART. Gut biopsies were stained with CD14, CD68, CD163, and E-cadherin antibodies and Masson trichrome. Flow cytometry was performed on lamina propria and PBMCs to characterize CD4, γδ T, Treg, and Th17 cells. Gut tissue-associated microbiome analysis was conducted on colon and ileum biopsies. Ten untreated individuals with chronic HIV infection (CHI) were also studied for comparative analysis. Results: Despite treatment of PHI, gut barrier damage (E-cadherin loss, collagen deposition) progressed, with a partially preserved distribution of intestinal macrophages. Treated PHI showed stable CD4+ and γδ T-cell frequencies and decreased activation of these subsets in the colon, with no effect on intestinal Th17 and Treg cells. No major changes in peripheral inflammation and intestinal barrier integrity markers were observed. Gut tissue-associated microbiome composition evolved during cART treatment in PHI. Conclusion: Despite early initiation, 12-week cART is unable to correct the HIV-mediated gut damage. Since gut injury drives systemic inflammation, which in turn fosters the pathogenesis of non-communicable comorbidities, our findings provide pathogenetic evidence of limited efficacy of early cART in reverting the HIV-associated pro-inflammatory signature and clinical risk.