NK-associated receptors on CD8 T cells from treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals: defective expression of CD56.
OBJECTIVE
This study addresses the detailed expression of natural killer (NK)- associated receptors on CD8 T lymphocytes in treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals.


METHODS
Experimental study analysing the expression of NK-associated receptors on peripheral blood T lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals compared with healthy controls.


METHODS
Flow cytometry was used to analyse the expression of CD56, CD16, CD94, NKG2A, NKB1, CD161, CD244, and perforin, according to the CD28 phenotype, on CD8(bright) T cells obtained from treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals and from healthy controls.


RESULTS
The results showed that CD8(bright) T cells from treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals had a decreased expression of CD56 and that CD8(bright)CD56 cell numbers correlated with CD4 cell counts. NK-associated markers were preferentially expressed on CD8(bright)CD28 negative T cells, both in healthy controls and HIV-infected individuals. An increased expression of CD94, CD244, and perforin, which was the consequence of the expansion of the CD8(bright)CD28 negative T-cell subset, was also observed in HIV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
As the CD8(bright)CD56 T cells are the mature cytolytic effector cells, the defective expression of CD56 on CD8(bright) T cells shown in HIV-infected individuals could be involved in the decreased peripheral blood T-cell cytotoxicity found in HIV infection.
Tarazona
Raquel
R
Department of Immunology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Spain.
DelaRosa
Olga
O
Casado
Javier G
JG
Torre-Cisneros
Julián
J
Villanueva
José L
JL
Galiani
María D
MD
Peña
José
J
Solana
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family; D019562:Viral Load
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015415:Biomarkers; C084093:CD244 protein, human; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; C527203:KLRB1 protein, human; C497869:KLRD1 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family