Increased Hepatocyte Fas Expression and Apoptosis in HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection

Abstract

HCV/HIV-coinfected patients show higher levels of hepatocytes expressing Fas and undergoing irreversible apoptosis than do HCV-infected patients. However, low CD4+ cell nadirs in coinfected patients are associated with hepatocyte Fas expression and apoptosis.

Mechanisms of Accelerated Liver Fibrosis Progression during HIV Infection

“…While the exact mechanisms for advanced fibrosis in co-infection are not entirely clear, several studies have shed light on this interaction. Both HIV and HCV infection can induce hepatocyte apoptosis via activation of the TRAIL receptors, and increase TRAIL expression by hepatocytes 32,80. HIV infection renders hepatocytes sensitive to TRAIL with increased TRAIL-R2 expression.…”

Liver disease: the effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy and the implications for early antiretroviral therapy initiation

“…Tuyama et al [38 ] recently were able to demonstrate the possibility of HIV to directly infect hepatic stellate cells and induce enhanced collagen production in an in-vitro model. Immunostaining of liver biopsies demonstrated that HIV might enhance hepatocyte apoptosis [39] and proliferation [40], which could add to the higher risk for fibrosis progression in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals. Interesting data on intrahepatic mRNA levels of cytokines and cellular markers that compares liver biopsies of HCV/HIV-coinfected patients with HCVmonoinfected ones was recently published [41].…”

Chronic Liver Disease in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patient

“…17,18 There is also an increase in steatohepatitis, which in turn up-regulates inflammation in the liver and is pro-fibrogenic. 19,20 Finally, there is also evidence that HIV directly infects the stellate cells, and this promotes inflammation and secretion of fibrogenic stroma.…”