title: Natural killer cells that respond to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) peptides are associated with control of HIV‐1 infection.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific natural killer (CD3- cells), CD4, and CD8 T cellular responses were determined in 79 HIV‐1-infected women in response to HIV‐1 peptide pools (Gag, Pol, Nef, Reg, and Env) with use of a whole‐blood intracellular cytokine staining assay that measures interferon-γ and/or interleukin-2. HIV‐specific CD3- cell responses to any region (Env and Reg predominantly targeted) were associated with lower viral load (P = .031) and higher CD4 T cell count (P = .015). Env‐specific CD3- cell responses were stronger in women who had both Gag CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and, in turn, was associated with lower viral load (P = .005). CD3- cell responders had significantly higher representation of CD4 T cell responses to Env and Reg (P = .012 and P = .015, respectively) and higher magnitudes of CD4 T cell responses (P = .017 and P = .037, respectively) than did nonresponders. Peptide‐specific natural killer cells are associated with markers of less severe disease progression among HIV‐1-infected women (lower viral load and higher CD4 T cell count) and with stronger HIV‐specific T cell responses.
authors.affiliation: AIDS Virus Research Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Department of Virology, Coronation Women and Children Hospital, Enhancing Childhood HIV Outcomes, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. carolinet@nicd.ac.za
authors.forename: Caroline T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Tiemessen
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shalekoff
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meddows-Taylor
authors.forename: Diana B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: Maria  A
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papathanasopoulos
authors.forename: Glenda  E
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Gayle  G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Ashraf  H
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coovadia
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D019562:Viral Load; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D014764:Viral Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma