Natural killer cells are not infected by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in vivo, and natural killer cell counts do not correlate with the risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma.
Although the innate immune system is implicated in the control of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), the risk of developing KS is not associated with the nadir natural killer (NK) cell count, and NK cell counts do not significantly increase or decrease during KS resolution. KS-associated herpesvirus replication was not demonstrated in vivo or in vitro within NK cells, suggesting that NK cells do not contribute to the resolution of KS. Their role appears limited to events occurring during early infection.
Stebbing
Justin
J
Department of Immunology, Division of Investigative Science, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, UK.
Gazzard
Brian
B
Flore
Ornella
O
Thomas
Claire
C
Benlahrech
Adel
A
Mandalia
Sundhiya
S
Bower
Mark
M
Gotch
Frances
F
Patterson
Steve
S
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology