Plasma Ribonuclease Activity in Antiretroviral Treatment - Naive People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Disease

Oskar Olsson*, Rolf Søkilde, Fregenet Tesfaye, Sara Karlson, Sten Skogmar, Marianne Jansson, Per Björkman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background: The role of ribonucleases in tuberculosis among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) is unknown. We explored ribonuclease activity in plasma from PWH with and without tuberculosis. Methods: Participants were identified from a cohort of treatment-naive PWH in Ethiopia who had been classified for tuberculosis disease (HIV positive [HIV+]/tuberculosis positive [tuberculosis+] or HIV+/tuberculosis negative [tuberculosis-]). Ribonuclease activity in plasma was investigated by quantification of synthetic spike-in RNAs using sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction and by a specific ribonuclease activity assay. Quantification of ribonuclease 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and T2 proteins was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ribonuclease activity and protein concentrations were correlated with markers of tuberculosis and HIV disease severity and with concentrations of inflammatory mediators. Results: Ribonuclease activity was significantly higher in plasma of HIV+/tuberculosis+ (n = 51) compared with HIV+/tuberculosis- (n = 78), causing reduced stability of synthetic spike-in RNAs. Concentrations of ribonucleases 2, 3, and T2 were also significantly increased in HIV+/tuberculosis+ compared with HIV+/tuberculosis-. Ribonuclease activity was correlated with HIV viral load, and inversely correlated with CD4 cell count, mid-upper arm circumference, and body mass index. Moreover, ribonuclease activity was correlated with concentrations of interleukin 27, procalcitonin and the kynurenine-tryptophan ratio. Conclusions: PWH with tuberculosis disease have elevated plasma ribonuclease activity, which is also associated with HIV disease severity and systemic inflammation.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume230
Issue2
Pages (from-to)403-410
Number of pages8
ISSN0022-1899
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • HIV
  • immune response
  • inflammation
  • ribonuclease activity
  • tuberculosis

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