Human natural killer cells in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether DNA immunization with HIV-1 regulatory genes change natural killer (NK) effector cell activity. NK cells are the most important cells for the immediate host defense against virus-infected and tumor cells. We analyzed the NK activities of HIV-1-infected individuals against K562 cells (the classical assay) as well as against a CD4+ cell line with and without HIV-1 infection. CD4+ T lymphocytes are the main target cells for HIV-1 infection in vivo. Various proportions of the CD4+ T lymphocyte population carry the HIV-1 genome, produce virus and contribute to the systemic spread of HIV-1.


METHODS
CD4+ cell lines were established through HTLV-1 transformation which made the cells susceptible to NK lysis. NK activity was then tested in a (51)Cr release assay.


RESULTS
NK cells of asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals mediated considerable lytic activity against K562 cells as well as against the uninfected and HIV-1-infected CD4+ cell line, and so did the NK cells of HIV-1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA immunization with HIV-1-regulatory genes did not significantly change the NK effector cell activity.
Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Microbiology and Tumorbiology Center and Department of Venereology, South Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
A L
AL
Hultström
B
B
Hejdeman
A C
AC
Leandersson
G
G
Bratt
E
E
Carbone
B
B
Wahren
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D005809:Genes, Regulator / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology*
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D019444:Vaccines, DNA