Role of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 in CD4+ depletion during HIV progression

Wasiu O Garuba; Adebayo L Adedeji; Kamoru A Adedokun; Olubunmi G Ayelagbe; Idris N Abdullahi; Ibrahim Munirudeen

Role of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 in CD4+ depletion during HIV progression

Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2024 May-Jun;18(3):30-38.

Authors

Wasiu O Garuba¹, Adebayo L Adedeji², Kamoru A Adedokun³, Olubunmi G Ayelagbe⁴, Idris N Abdullahi⁵, Ibrahim Munirudeen¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
² Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263.USA.
⁴ Department of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

PMID: 38721142
PMCID: PMC11075444

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the role of Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor-1 (APAF-1) in CD4+ cell depletion among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.

Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 105 participants were enrolled, including 60 confirmed HIV-positive patients and 45 HIV-negative controls. HIV-positive patients were further divided based on CD4+ cell counts: Group 1 (<200), Group 2 (200-499), and Group 3 (≥500). An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure APAF-1 levels, and CD4+ T-cell counts were enumerated using a Cyflow counter. Independent student's t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's correlation were utilized as needed.

Results: Results showed significant reductions in lymphocytes, platelets, red blood cells, hemoglobin, albumin, and CD4+ cell values among HIV-infected individuals compared to controls. Conversely, APAF-1 and total protein levels were elevated in HIV-positive patients. Among HIV-positive groups, those with CD4+ cell counts <200 exhibited the highest median serum APAF-1 concentration. However, these differences were not statistically significant when compared with the other seropositive groups with CD4+ cell counts between 200 and 499 (P = 0.6726) and CD4+ cell counts of 500 or greater (P = 0.4325). The control group had the lowest median SAPAF-1 concentration, significantly different from HIV-positive groups. Positive correlations were observed between CD4+ counts and lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and hypoalbuminemia, while negative correlations were found between these parameters and APAF-1 levels.

Conclusion: APAF-1 is a host factor that potentially contributes to CD4+ cell depletion. Similarly, APAF-1, serum total protein, and albumin levels were found to be predictive of disease progression and could serve as valuable diagnostic biomarkers in the monitoring of HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Apoptotic protease activating factor-1; CD4+ T cell; cytopenia; human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome; hypoalbumin; progressor.