Human natural killer cells in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection

• <i>Objectives:</i> We evaluated whether DNA immunization with HIV-1 regulatory genes change natural killer (NK) effector cell activity. NK cells are the most important cells for the immediate host defense against virus-infected and tumor cells. We analyzed the NK activities of HIV-1-infected individuals against K562 cells (the classical assay) as well as against a CD4+ cell line with and without HIV-1 infection. CD4+ T lymphocytes are the main target cells for HIV-1 infection in vivo. Various proportions of the CD4+ T lymphocyte population carry the HIV-1 genome, produce virus and contribute to the systemic spread of HIV-1. <i>Methods:</i> CD4+ cell lines were established through HTLV-1 transformation which made the cells susceptible to NK lysis. NK activity was then tested in a ⁵¹Cr release assay. <i>Results:</i> NK cells of asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals mediated considerable lytic activity against K562 cells as well as against the uninfected and HIV-1-infected CD4+ cell line, and so did the NK cells of HIV-1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment. <i>Conclusion:</i> DNA immunization with HIV-1-regulatory genes did not significantly change the NK effector cell activity.

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