Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
Published on: May 22, 2020
Constitutive natural killer cell features associated with post-treatment control of SIV infection in the pVISCONTI
Anaïs Chapel1,2, Luis Romero-Martín1, Caroline Passaes1,2
1Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Viral Reservoirs and Immune Control Unit, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Post-treatment HIV controllers (PTC) offer a unique opportunity to uncover the determinants of durable remission after antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption. Here, using six PTC and six post-treatment non-controllers from the pVISCONTI study in cynomolgus macaques, we identify associations between Natural Killer (NK) cell subsets and outcomes following ART interruption. NKG2Ahigh NK cells lacking NKp30/NKp46 (NKG2AhighNKp30-NKp46-), shaped by the MHC backgrounds of the animals, were linked to improved post-treatment control; this NK subset displayed tissue-homing potential and preserved functionality despite infection, characterized by cytokine production and degranulation. Conversely, NKG2AlowNKp30 + NKp46+ NK cells exhibited reduced cytotoxic potential and elevated IL-10/IL-17A production, and their pre-infection levels were associated with higher viremia and larger viral reservoirs after ART interruption. Our study suggests that constitutive NK cell features, preserved by early ART initiation, may provide a favorable immune environment for post-treatment control. Our findings identify the NKG2A axis as a potential target to improve outcomes after ART interruption.
Related Concept Videos
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
