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BACKGROUND: HLA class I contributes to HIV immune control through antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. In contrast to investigations of CTL, studies of NK cells in HIV control through HLA-killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) interactions remain sparse in African cohorts. METHODS: Treatment-naive, chronically HIV-infected adults (N = 312) were recruited from South Africa, and the effects of HLA-KIR pairs on clinical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in viral load among all subjects with HLA alleles from the HLA-C1 group (P = .1). However, differences in HLA-C type significantly influenced viremia among 247 KIR2DL3 positives (P = .04), suggesting that specific HLA-KIR interactions contribute to immune control. Higher viral load (P = .02) and lower CD4+ T-cell counts (P = .008) were observed in subjects with HLA-C*16:01+KIR2DL3+. Longitudinal analysis showed more rapid progression to AIDS among HLA-C*16:01+KIR2DL3+ subjects (adjusted hazard ratio 1.9, P = .03) than those without this genotype, independent of CD4+ T-cell count and viral load. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the existence of unique anti-HIV innate immunity within distinct populations and the contribution of KIR on NK cells and some CTLs to the well-described HLA-mediated impact on HIV disease progression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/infdis/jiy692

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Infect Dis

Publication Date

16/04/2019

Volume

219

Pages

1456 - 1463

Keywords

HIV, HLA, KIR, South Africa, disease outcome, Anti-HIV Agents, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Chronic Disease, Disease Progression, Female, Gene Frequency, Genes, MHC Class I, Genotype, HIV Infections, HLA-B Antigens, HLA-C Antigens, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Linkage Disequilibrium, Male, NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C, Receptors, KIR2DL1, Receptors, KIR2DL3, South Africa, Treatment Outcome, Viral Load