Natural killer cell heterogeneity: cellular dysfunction and significance in HIV-1 immuno-pathogenesis.
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effectors that provide first line of defence against viruses. Human NK cells are heterogeneous in nature, and their functions rely on a dynamic balance between germ-line-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. HIV-1 infection results in altered NK cell receptor repertoire and impaired effector functions including the ability to lyse virus-infected cells and secretion of antiviral cytokine IFN-γ. Over the last decade, additional NK cell subset-specific molecules have been identified, leading to emergence of a more complex cellular diversity than previously thought. Herein, we discuss NK cell subset redistribution, altered receptor repertoire and influence of interaction of polymorphic leucocyte antigen (HLA) and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on HIV-1 disease progression.
Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany, wahid.ansari@gmail.com.
A Wahid
AW
Ansari
Fareed
F
Ahmad
Dirk
D
Meyer-Olson
Adeeba
A
Kamarulzaman
Roland
R
Jacobs
Reinhold E
RE
Schmidt
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering