Natural killer cells that respond to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) peptides are associated with control of HIV‐1 infection.
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.
Tiemessen
Caroline T
CT
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
Shalekoff
Sharon
S
Meddows-Taylor
Stephen
S
Schramm
Diana B
DB
Papathanasopoulos
Maria  A
M
Gray
Glenda  E
G
Sherman
Gayle  G
G
Coovadia
Ashraf  H
A
Kuhn
Louise
L
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*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D014764:Viral Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma