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Short communication: NKG2C+ NK cells contribute to increases in CD16+CD56- cells in HIV type 1+ individuals with high
John N S Gregson1, Leticia Kuri-Cervantes, Christopher M Mela
1Department of Immunology, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Chronic HIV-1 infection results in the expansion of both NKG2C+ and CD16+CD56- human natural killer cells. NKG2C+ cells proliferate in response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and expansion of the dysfunctional CD56-CD16+ natural killer (NK) cells is associated with HIV-1 viremia. Here we report an association between increased proportions of CD56-CD16+ NK cells in viremic HIV-1+ individuals and an increased contribution of NKG2C+ cells to this subset. These data, in addition to anti-HCMV IgG serology, indicate a potential contribution of both HCMV and HIV-1 to NK cell dysfunction in HIV-1-infected individuals.
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