[Alterations of NK cell frequency and function in HIV/HCV co-infected patients]

Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Aug;25(4):248-50.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study the impacts of HIV/HCV co-infection to NK cells by investigating the changes of frequencies and functions of NK cells in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Methods: Frequencies and counts of NK cells were measured in patients with HIV mono-infection, HCV monoinfection, HIV/HCV co-infection and health control (HC) group by flow cytometer (FCM). After stimulated with PMA and K562 cells, PBMCs were examined the proportion of IFN-gamma+ NK cells by FCM. Proportion of killed K562 cells were detected to analyze the killing functions of NK cells.

Results: The frequencies of NK cells, the percentages of IFN-gamma+ NK cells as well as the functions of NK cells killing the K562 cells in HIV/HCV co-infection, HIV mono-infection and HCV mono-infection groups were all lower than those of HC group significantly, the absolute counts and killing functions of NK cells in co-infection group were significantly lower than those of HIV or HCV mono-infection group.

Conclusions: The counts and functions of NK cells were affected more in HIV/HCV co-infections than those in HIV or HCV mono-infection.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Count
  • Coinfection / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology*
  • Humans
  • K562 Cells
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*