Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals living with HIV/AIDS, despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Emerging evidence suggests a complex interplay between chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated CVD. The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway, known for its role in regulating immune responses and maintaining immune homeostasis, has recently garnered attention for its potential involvement in HIV-associated cardiovascular complications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of PD-1 signaling in HIV-associated CVD, elucidating its mechanistic contributions to vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and myocardial injury. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting the PD-1 pathway as a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating cardiovascular risk in individuals living with HIV/AIDS.