NK cell activation and CD4+ T cell α4β7 expression are associated with susceptibility to HIV-1.

ABSTRACT: We leveraged specimens from the RV217 prospective study that enrolled participants at high risk of HIV-1 acquisition to investigate how NK cells, conventional T cells, and unconventional T cells influence HIV-1 acquisition. We observed low levels of α4β7 expression on memory CD4+ T cells and invariant NK T (iNKT) cells, 2 cell types highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection, in highly exposed seronegative (HESN) compared with highly exposed seroconverter (HESC) participants. NK cells from HESN individuals had higher levels of α4β7 than did those from HESC individuals, presented a quiescent phenotype, and had a higher capacity to respond to opsonized target cells. We also measured translocated microbial products in plasma and found differences in phylum distribution between HESN and HESC partic

SUBMITTER: Machmach K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12321385 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature