Function of NKT cells, potential anti-HIV effector cells, are improved by beginning HAART during acute HIV-1 infection.
NKT cells are a subset of lymphocytes that share features of T cells and NK cells and bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses. They are able to be infected by HIV, but their function in HIV-infected individuals is not known. NKT cell percentage and function was measured in individuals with acute HIV infection before and 1 year into highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). This study demonstrates that percentages of both CD161+ NKT cells and CD161+, CD4+ NKT cells decline within the first few months after HIV-1 infection, but initiating therapy during the acute infection period can prevent a further decline in these NKT cell subsets during the first year. NKT cell function is also impaired during early HIV infection, but significantly improved by effective treatment with HAART. Finally, preservation of NKT cell function may be important in HIV-infected individuals, as NKT cells display an anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro, mediated by IFN-gamma secretion.
Vasan
Sandhya
S
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Poles
Michael A
MA
Horowitz
Amir
A
Siladji
Esther E
EE
Markowitz
Martin
M
Tsuji
Moriya
M
D000328:Adult; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
D000954:Antigens, Surface; C527203:KLRB1 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D007371:Interferon-gamma