HIV-1-Mediated Downmodulation of HLA-C Impacts Target Cell Recognition and Antiviral Activity of NK Cells.

ABSTRACT: It was widely accepted that HIV-1 downregulates HLA-A/B to avoid CTL recognition while leaving HLA-C unaltered in order to prevent NK cell activation by engaging inhibitory NK cell receptors, but it was recently observed that most primary isolates of HIV-1 can mediate HLA-C downmodulation. Now we report that HIV-1-mediated downmodulation of HLA-C was associated with reduced binding to its respective inhibitory receptors. Despite this, HLA-C-licensed NK cells displayed reduced antiviral activity compared to their unlicensed counterparts, potentially due to residual binding to the respective inhibitory receptors. Nevertheless, NK cells were able to sense alterations of HLA-C expression demonstrated by increased antiviral activity when exposed to viral strains with differential abilities to d

SUBMITTER: Korner C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5565794 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature