The effects of HCMV seropositivity and BMI degree on T cell immunophenotype in adults

• Published in: Obesity medicine Vol. 46; p. 100531
• Main Authors: Del Duca Lima, Diego, Pires Dorneles, Gilson, Severo Ribeiro, Joane, Felipe Haubert, Alisson, Roosevelt Torres Romão, Pedro, Peres, Alessandra, Carlos Rodrigues Junior, Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2024
• Subjects: HCMV; Obesity; Overweigh; T lymphocytes; T lymphocytes; Obesity; Overweigh; HCMV
• ISSN: 2451-8476; 2451-8476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.obmed.2024.100531

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a latent virus widely spread in the human population. Obesity and HCMV infection are associated with immunological changes in T lymphocytes. This study aimed to evaluate if the association between overweight/obesity and HCMV infection would influence populations of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells were isolated from 111 individuals. The biochemical markers and anti-HCMV IgG were quantified in the plasma. The individuals were classified as eutrophic, overweight or obese, based on their body mass index. The lymphocyte populations helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, memory T regulatory cells, memory effector T cells, early differentiated effector memory cytotoxic T cells, and terminally differentiated effector memory cytotoxic T cells were quantified by flow cytometry. Approximately half of the individuals studied (46.5%) were seropositive for HCMV, of which 14.1% were eutrophic, 8.1% overweight, and 24.32% were obese. The results showed a substantial reduction in the CD4:CD8 ratio in patients with overweight or obesity, and an increase in the circulating terminally differentiated effector memory cytotoxic T cells, both associated with HCMV positive serology. HCMV infection, when associated with weight gain contributes to the profile of immunological senescence mediated by an increase in the number of circulating terminally differentiated cytotoxic T cells. [Display omitted] •The presence of HCMV infection in obesity contributes to the reduction in the ratio of peripheral CD4:CD8 lymphocytes.•Subject with obesity and HCMV infection shows increase in cellular markers of immunosenescence.•HCMV infection does not contribute to changes in clinical-laboratory parameters in obesity.