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.
Hultström
A L
AL
Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Microbiology and Tumorbiology Center and Department of Venereology, South Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hejdeman
B
B
Leandersson
A C
AC
Bratt
G
G
Carbone
E
E
Wahren
B
B
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