CD56-negative NK cells with impaired effector function expand in CMV and EBV co-infected healthy donors with age.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer cells lacking expression of CD56 (CD56^neg NK cells) have been described in chronic HIV and hepatitis C virus infection. Features and functions of CD56^neg NK cells in the context of latent infection with CMV and / or EBV with age are not known. In a cohort of healthy donors >60 years of age, we found that co-infection with CMV and EBV drives expansion of CD56^neg NK cells. Functionally, CD56^neg NK cells displayed reduced cytotoxic capacity and IFN-γ production, a feature that was enhanced with CMV / EBV co-infection. Further, the frequency of CD56^neg NK cells correlated with accumulation of end-stage-differentiated T cells and a reduced CD4 / CD8 T cell ratio, reflecting an immune risk profile. CD56^neg NK cells

SUBMITTER: Muller-Durovic B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6366961 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature