Natural killer cells in HIV-1 infection: role of NK cell-mediated non-cytolytic mechanisms in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.
Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit both cytolytic and non-cytolytic effector functions against HIV-infected targets. Their precise role in immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection is yet to be fully understood. This review addresses the non-cytolytic functions exhibited by NK cells, their potential role in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and the effect of HIV-1 viremia on NK cell functions. Activated NK cells are capable of secreting CC-chemokines and suppressing HIV-1 replication in a non-cytolytic fashion. However, HIV-1 viremia suppresses the ability of NK cells to secrete CC-chemokines. Suppression of HIV-1 viremia by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) restores the ability of NK cells to secrete CC-chemokines and suppress endogenous HIV-1 replication by non-cytolytic mechanisms. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved in HIV-1-NK cell interactions would be helpful in delineating novel therapeutic strategics against HIV-1.
Kottilil
Shyam
S
Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Building 10, Room 6AI 1, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. skottilil@niaid.nih.gov
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019742:Chemokines, CC