Health Science Reports · Feb 22, 2026

Association Between Patatin-Like Phospholipase Do-Main-Containing Protein-3 Variant and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in People Living With HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

By Yu CH, Sheu GT, Li CF et al.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is elevated among people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly those receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study aimed to examine associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lipoprotein-related genes and CVD risk among PLWH undergoing ART. METHODS: Blood samples from 337 PLWH at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital were analyzed, including 238 individuals who switched ART and 99 who continued their regimen. Genotyping of four SNPs-namely, ATP binding cassette B1 (ABCB1; rs1045642), apolipoprotein E (APOE; rs429358 and rs7412), and patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3; rs738409) was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequence-based typing. CVD risk scores were calculated using the D:A:D model, with high risk defined as a 10-year risk > 5%. Associations between SNPs and CVD risk scores were assessed using analysis of covariance, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly male 95.6% (322/337), with a mean age of 34.6 years. Metabolic abnormalities were common, and 16.0% (54/337) of participants on ART were classified as high-risk for CVD. Among the SNPs analyzed, PNPLA3 (rs738409) was significantly associated with higher D:A:D (R) 10-year CVD risk scores (p = 0.03) and showed marginal associations with 5-year risk scores (p = 0.05). The APOE (rs7412) T allele demonstrated borderline associations with increased CVD risk (p = 0.07-0.09). No significant associations were observed for ABCB1 or APOE (rs429358). PNPLA3 may influence triglyceride hydrolysis via adipose triglyceride lipase, contributing to fatty liver disease and elevating CVD risk. CONCLUSION: SNPs in PNPLA3 and APOE may contribute to increased CVD risk among PLWH receiving ART. Incorporating genetic screening into clinical care could support personalized treatment strategies and improve long-term CVD outcomes.

doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71875Open accessPubMed 41737439Biomarkers