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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.
Published on: September 1, 2015
Defective plasmacytoid dendritic cell-NK cell cross-talk in HIV infection
K N Reitano1, S Kottilil, C M Gille
1Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, SAIC-Frederick, NCI, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Abstract:
HIV viremia is associated with a wide range of immune dysfunctions that contribute to the immunocompromised state. HIV viremia has been shown to have a broad effect on several immune cell types and/or their interactions that are vital for mounting an effective immune response. In this study, we investigated the integrity of plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-NK cell interactions among HIV viremic, aviremic, and seronegative individuals. We describe a critical defect in the ability of pDCs from HIV-infected individuals to secrete IFN-alpha and TNF and subsequently activate NK cells. We also describe an inherent defect on NK cells from HIV-infected individuals to respond to pDC-secreted cytokines. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate a direct effect of HIV trimeric gp120 on NK cells in vitro similar to that described ex vivo. Finally, we were able to establish that the HIV gp120-mediated suppressive effect on NK cells was a result of its binding to the integrin alpha(4)beta(7) expressed on NK cells. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which HIV is capable of suppressing an innate immune function in infected individuals.
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