Expansion of CD1d-restricted NKT cells in patients with primary HIV-1 infection treated with interleukin-2

Blood. 2006 Apr 15;107(8):3081-3. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-09-3636. Epub 2005 Dec 20.

Abstract

Innate CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells are infected and lost in HIV-1-infected patients, and this could contribute to HIV-1 pathogenesis because NKT cells play an important role in directing both adaptive and innate immunity. Administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to HIV-1-infected patients leads to substantial and sustained CD4+ T-cell expansion, involving both naive and memory cells. We investigated whether IL-2 treatment could restore the NKT cell compartment in patients with primary HIV-1 infection. We show that IL-2 combined with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) resulted in significant expansion of CD1d-restricted NKT cells. Expansion occurred in both the CD4- and CD4+ subsets of NKT cells, and expanded cells expressed the CD161 maturation marker while expression of the HIV coreceptor CCR5 was reduced. These data indicate that IL-2 treatment in combination with effective ART is beneficial for the restoration of innate NKT cell immunity in patients with primary HIV-1 infection.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / immunology
  • Antigens, CD1 / immunology
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV-1* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory / drug effects
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage*
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Receptors, CCR5 / immunology
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antigens, CD1
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CD1D protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • KLRB1 protein, human
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Receptors, CCR5