Cutting Edge: Unusual NK cell responses to HIV-1 peptides are associated with protection against maternal-infant transmission of HIV-1.
Most infants exposed to HIV-1 in utero and at delivery do not acquire infection. We show that mothers and infants who have CD3-negative cells that respond to HIV-1 peptides are substantially less likely to transmit and acquire infection, respectively. The CD3-negative cells, shown to be NK cells, respond with remarkable specificity and high magnitude to HIV-1 peptides from Env (envelope) and Reg (regulatory) protein regions, as measured by a whole blood intracellular cytokine assay only in the context of HIV-1 infection or exposure. These findings identify an important new measure of protective immunity to HIV-1 that highlights the importance of innate immunity in preventing the establishment of HIV-1 infection.
Tiemessen
Caroline T
CT
AIDS Virus Research Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa.
Shalekoff
Sharon
S
Meddows-Taylor
Stephen
S
Schramm
Diana B
DB
Papathanasopoulos
Maria A
MA
Gray
Glenda E
GE
Sherman
Gayle G
GG
Coovadia
Ashraf H
AH
Kuhn
Louise
L
D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D014764:Viral Proteins