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 χ2 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.