Circulating angiopoietin-like protein 2 levels are associated with decreased renal function in HIV ⁺ subjects on cART: A potential marker of kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals, even in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. Inflammatory cytokines and adipokines have been suggested to play a role in the development of CKD. The aim of the present study was to examine the circulating levels of a novel proinflammatory cytokine, angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2), in a cohort of 72 HIV-positive subjects on ART. HIV-positive patients were on cART for at least one year. Urine and blood samples were collected. Various factors were analyzed including body mass index (BMI), smoking, and presence/treatment for comorbidities such as diabetes. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated by using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Plasma samples obtained were stored and used to measure sCD14 and ANGPTL2 levels. Data were presented as mean (± standard deviation) or median (interquartile range) for continuous variables. Categorical variables were expressed as number (%). Variables were compared using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test, or X ² test. The results showed an independent negative association between plasma ANGPTL2 and CKD-EPI values. Further prospective studies on larger cohorts are needed to evaluate the pathogenetic role of ANGPTL2 as well as its use as a diagnostic marker of renal dysfunction.