LMNA messenger RNA expression in highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV-positive patients.

Abstract

The LMNA gene encodes for lamins A and C as major products, which are involved in nuclear stability, chromatin structure, and gene expression. Several LMNA mutations cause an insulin-resistant lipodystrophy that shares features with HIV-related lipodystrophy. Some HIV-treatment agents alter lamin A/C maturation, organization, and stability in 3T3-L1. We aimed to test the hypothesis that human adipose tissue LMNA expression can be altered in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy. We have also analyzed both isoforms and explored if their expression is associated with insulin resistance or inflammation in these patients. A cross-sectional study that analyzed abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue from 39 treated HIV-positive patients (25 of whom had lipodystrophy) and 21 uninfected control subjects was performed. We have observed lower levels of lamin A isoform but normal levels of lamin C isoform in all HIV-infected patients, irrespective of the presence or absence of lipodystrophy, which reinforces the idea that an altered lamin A/C ratio could reflect a pathogenic condition. We have also found a correlation between LMNA adipose expression and several cytokine and adipogenic gene markers in HIV-positive patients, regardless of the presence or absence of lipodystrophy. Hence, in the present study, the lower lamin A expression observed in HIV-positive patients is related to HIV itself or to treatments rather than to the presence of lipodystrophy.

• Authors: Merce Miranda, Matilde R Chacón, Francesc Vidal, Ana Megia, Cristóbal Richart, Sergi Veloso, Maria Saumoy, Carles Olona, Joan Vendrell
• Journal: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) (J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr) Vol. 46 Issue 4 Pg. 384-9 (Dec 01 2007) ISSN: 1525-4135 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18077842 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• LMNA protein, human
• Lamin Type A
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (anatomy & histology, diagnostic imaging)
• Adult
• Anthropometry
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Case-Control Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cytokines (blood)
• Female
• HIV Seropositivity (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lamin Type A (genetics)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Reference Values
• Regression Analysis
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Viscera