Polyfunctional natural killer cells with a low activation profile in response to Toll-like receptor 3 activation in HIV-1-exposed seronegative subjects.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells are the main mediator of the cytotoxic response in innate immunity and may be involved in resistance to HIV-1 infection in exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling is crucial for NK cell activation. Here, we investigated the polyfunctional NK cell response to TLR3 activation in serodiscordant couples. ESN subjects showed increased IFN-γ and CD107a expression in both NK subsets, CD56^bright and CD56^dim cells, in response to stimulation with a TLR3 agonist, while expression was impaired in the HIV-1-infected partners. TLR3-induced expression of IFN-γ, TNF and CD107a by polyfunctional CD56^bright NK cells was more pronounced in ESN individuals than that in healthy controls. Activated NK cells, as deter

SUBMITTER: Lima JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5428831 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature