Altered Natural Killer Cell Function in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants have higher rates of severe and fatal infections compared with HIV-unexposed (HUU) infants, likely due to immune perturbations. We hypothesized that alterations in natural killer (NK) cell activity might occur in HEU infants and predispose them to severe infections.

Design

Case-control study using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at birth and 6 months from HEU infants enrolled from 2002 to 2009 and HUU infants enrolled from 2011 to 2013.

Methods

NK cell phenotype and function were assessed by flow cytometry after 20-h incubation with and without K562 cells.

Results

The proportion of NK cells among PBMCs was lower at birth in 12 HEU vs. 22 HUU (1.68 vs. 10.30%, p < 0.0001) and at 6 mo

SUBMITTER: Smith C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5403425 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature