Natural killer cells in HIV-1 infection: Role of NK cell-mediated non-cytolytic mechanisms in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection

摘要

Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit both cytolytic and non-cytolytic effector funetions against HIV-infected targets. Their precise role in immunopathogenesis of HIV-infection is yet to be fully understood. This review addrcsses the non-cytolytic functions exhibited by NK cells, their potential role in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infcciion and the eftect of HIV-1 viremia on NK cell functions. Activated NK cells are capable of secreting CC-chemokines and suppresing HIV-1 replication in a non-cytolytic fashion. However. HIV-1 v'iremia suppresses the ability of NK cells to secrcte CC-chemokines. Supprcssion of HIV-1 viremia by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) restores the ability of NK cells to secrete CC-chemokines and suppress endogenous HIV-1 rcplieation by non-cytolytic mechanisms. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved in HIV-1-NK cell interactions would be helpful in delineating novel therapeutic strategies against HIV-1.