title: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in HAART-treated, HIV-positive patients with bone and cardiovascular impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells represent a determinant in the course of infections and diseases, however, their role in the pathogenesis of non-infectious co-morbidities in HIV-positive patients is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow cytometry was used to investigate iNKT cell frequency, phenotype and function in HIV-infected patients on HAART with bone and/or cardiovascular disorders and in HIV-positive controls free from co-morbidities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  iNKT cells from subjects with bone and cardiovascular impairment expressed high levels of CD161 and predominantly secreted TNF. iNKT cells from individuals with bone disease alone did not show any distinctive phenotypical or functional characteristics. The functional capacity of iNKT cells in patients with cardiovascular disorder was impaired with no cytokine release upon stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  iNKT cells may have a role in non-infectious co-morbidities in treated HIV disease, possibly through the exacerbation of inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of non-communicable disorders in HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, "San Paolo" Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tincati
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, "San Paolo" Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basilissi
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Unit, "San Paolo" Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sinigaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, "San Paolo" Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Unit, "San Paolo" Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carpani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, "San Paolo" Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella d'Arminio
authors.initials: Ad
authors.lastname: Monforte
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, "San Paolo" Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B