Natural killer-cell cytotoxicity in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with and without severe course of hepatitis B virus infection.
Natural killer (NK) cells represent the first line of defence against viral infections but, in the case of hepatitis B virus (HBV), may also be involved in liver injury. We here compared NK-cell activity of 11 patients with acute HBV infection, either HIV-positive or HIV-negative, with that of 11 healthy subjects. One of the HIV-positive patients, characterized by a severe immunodeficiency, died 3 weeks after hospitalization for HBV-related fulminant hepatitis (FH). He displayed a remarkable NK-cell cytotoxicity against both cell lines and autologous dendritic cells, whereas the NK-cell activity of the remaining patients was significantly reduced as compared with healthy individuals. Our findings suggest that NK-cell-mediated cytotoxicity could contribute to the development of HBV-related acute liver failure in HIV-positive patients with severe immunodeficiency. An immunopathological model of FH in immunocompromised patients was proposed.
Morsica
G
G
Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Saltue San Raffaele University, School of Medicine, Milan, Italy.
Tasca
S
S
Biswas
P
P
Galli
A
A
Malnati
M
M
Paties
C
C
Marinelli
M
M
Bagaglio
S
S
Lazzarin
A
A
Fortis
C
C
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged