Association between the APOC3 (rs2854116), ESR2 (rs3020450), HFE (rs1799945), and MMP1 (rs1799750) gene polymorphisms and lipodystrophy in people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of lipodystrophy in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) receiving antiretrovirals appears to be multifactorial and may involve genetic factors; however, it is not yet fully understood. We verified the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the APOC3-rs2854116, ESR2-rs3020450, HFE-rs1799945 and MMP1-rs1799750 genes and lipodystrophy and its subtypes in PLWHIV receiving antiretroviral.

METHODS: Design: cross-sectional study. Lipodystrophy definition was based on self-report. Genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Lipodystrophy was reported in 204/404 participants (51%), being 89/204 with mixed lipodystrophy, 72/204 with lipohypertrophy, and 43/204 with lipoatrophy. There was no association between APOC3, HFE, and MMP1 polymorphisms and lipodystrophy. The frequency of AA genotype (p=0.004/OR=3.33/CI=1.52-7.29) and of A allele (p=0.031/OR=1.72/CI=1.08-2.75) of the ESR2 polymorphism was higher in individuals with lipoatrophy compared to those without lipodystrophy. In the multivariate analysis, viral load >40copies/mL (p=0.037/OR=2.52/CI=1.03-6.91) and current use of zidovudine (p=0.007/OR=2.97/CI=1.32-6.54) were associated with lipoatrophy.

CONCLUSION: Participants with lipoatrophy had higher frequency of the AA genotype and the A allele of the ESR2-rs3020450 polymorphism. In addition, viral load >40 copies/mL and current use of zidovudine were associated with lipoatrophy, suggesting a potential involvement of this genetic variant in the pathogenesis of lipoatrophy in PLWHIV receiving antiretroviral.