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Reduced Natural Killer Cell Subsets in Perinatally Acquired Long-Term Non-Progressor Human Immunodeficiency

Ravinder Bhukkar1, Ravinder Kaur Sachdeva1, Deepti Suri1

  • 11 Department of Pediatrics, Advance Pediatric Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|January 12, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated lymphocyte subsets in children with HIV, finding lower Natural Killer (NK) cells in both long-term non-progressors and non-long-term non-progressors compared to healthy controls. Immune reconstitution varied little between early and late ART initiation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Long-term non-progressor (LTNP) HIV-infected children represent a unique cohort with less understood immunological profiles.
  • Evaluating lymphocyte subsets is crucial for understanding HIV progression and treatment responses in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare lymphocyte subsets in treatment-naive long-term non-progressor (LTNP) HIV-infected children with those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and healthy controls.
  • To investigate the impact of HIV infection and ART on specific immune cell populations in children.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte subsets including CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic T cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and naïve B cells.
  • Subjects were categorized into three groups: LTNP (treatment-naive, CD4≥500), non-LTNP (on ART, CD4≤500 at some point), and healthy controls (HCs).
  • Statistical analysis was performed using Kaluza flow analysis software.

Main Results:

  • Absolute CD4+ T cell counts and percentages were lower in non-LTNPs compared to LTNPs.
  • Cytotoxic T cells were elevated in both HIV-infected groups relative to HCs.
  • Natural Killer (NK) cells were significantly reduced in both LTNP and non-LTNP groups compared to HCs (p≤0.000003 and p≤0.00003, respectively).
  • Naïve B cells were more prevalent in HIV-infected children than in HCs.
  • Immune reconstitution was comparable between children starting ART early and long-term HIV-infected children not on ART.

Conclusions:

  • HIV infection in children is associated with distinct alterations in lymphocyte subsets, notably decreased NK cells and increased naïve B cells.
  • While cytotoxic T cells are elevated, the reduction in NK cells highlights a potential vulnerability in the immune response of HIV-infected children.
  • The findings suggest that immune reconstitution may be similar regardless of ART initiation timing in certain pediatric HIV cohorts.

Keywords:
HIVLTNPNK cellspediatric

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