title: IL-15 enhances survival and function of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells.
abstract: HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells are prone to undergo apoptosis, and this may affect their ability to control HIV infection. Because CD8-mediated immune responses play a key role in controlling HIV infection, enhancing the survival and effector function of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells may augment their ability to control HIV virus. We show here that interleukin 15 (IL-15) potently inhibits spontaneous and CD95/Fas-induced apoptosis of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells. IL-15 inhibits apoptosis in both CD45RA(-)CD62L(-) and CD45RA(+)CD62L(-) effector memory subpopulations of these cells. Furthermore, IL-15 greatly enhances the survival of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells in long-term cultures. Finally, IL-15 directly enhances activation, interferon gamma (IFNgamma) production, and direct ex vivo cytotoxicity of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells. Thus, IL-15 potently enhances the survival and effector function of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells and, therefore, may prove useful in augmenting the antiviral function of these cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
authors.forename: Yvonne M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bojczuk
authors.forename: E Scott
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Halstead
authors.forename: Alfred H J
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Witek
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Katsikis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019409:Interleukin-15; D019014:fas Receptor; D007371:Interferon-gamma