Biomaterial Database

[Natural killer (NK) activity in patients with HIV infection]. 1988

L Ortona, and E Tamburrini, and M Tumbarello, and G Ventura, and R Cauda

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia.

NK activity and cells with NK phenotype (CD16+) were studied in 21 patients with HIV infection. In particular 8 patients with full-blown AIDS, 6 with AIDS related complex (ARC), 7 asymptomatic seropositive for anti-HIV antibodies were evaluated. Six subjects seronegative for anti-HIV antibodies from groups at risk for HIV infection were evaluated as well. NK activity was significantly reduced in AIDS and ARC patients but normal in asymptomatic seropositive subjects and in seronegative subjects at risk. NK cells (CD16+) were normal in AIDS patients, and in asymptomatic seropositive subjects, increased in ARC patients and in the subjects at risk. No statistical correlation was evident between the NK activity and the number of CD16+ cells in individual patients. The percentage of CD16+ cells coexpressing the HLA-DR marker i.e. CD16+ HLADR+ cells was significantly elevated only in ARC patients, and normal in the others. NK activity is the first line of defense against an invading virus and plays an important role in the immune surveillance of neoplasms. Therefore the reduced NK activity in AIDS and ARC patients can be consistent with the development of viral infections and unusual neoplasms frequently observed in such patients. The lack of correlation between defective NK activity and normal or increased number of cells with NK phenotype seems to indicate the existence of a more profound alteration in the function of NK cells rather than a simple numeric variation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007694	Killer Cells, Natural	Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.	NK Cells,Natural Killer Cells,Cell, NK,Cell, Natural Killer,Cells, NK,Cells, Natural Killer,Killer Cell, Natural,NK Cell,Natural Killer Cell
D008297	Male		Males
D003602	Cytotoxicity, Immunologic	The phenomenon of target cell destruction by immunologically active effector cells. It may be brought about directly by sensitized T-lymphocytes or by lymphoid or myeloid "killer" cells, or it may be mediated by cytotoxic antibody, cytotoxic factor released by lymphoid cells, or complement.	Tumoricidal Activity, Immunologic,Immunologic Cytotoxicity,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activities,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activity,Tumoricidal Activities, Immunologic
D005260	Female		Females
D006679	HIV Seropositivity	Development of neutralizing antibodies in individuals who have been exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/HTLV-III/LAV).	AIDS Seroconversion,AIDS Seropositivity,Anti-HIV Positivity,HIV Antibody Positivity,HIV Seroconversion,HTLV-III Seroconversion,HTLV-III Seropositivity,AIDS Seroconversions,AIDS Seropositivities,Anti HIV Positivity,Anti-HIV Positivities,Antibody Positivities, HIV,Antibody Positivity, HIV,HIV Antibody Positivities,HIV Seroconversions,HIV Seropositivities,HTLV III Seroconversion,HTLV III Seropositivity,HTLV-III Seroconversions,HTLV-III Seropositivities,Positivities, Anti-HIV,Positivities, HIV Antibody,Positivity, Anti-HIV,Positivity, HIV Antibody,Seroconversion, AIDS,Seroconversion, HIV,Seroconversion, HTLV-III,Seroconversions, AIDS,Seroconversions, HIV,Seroconversions, HTLV-III,Seropositivities, AIDS,Seropositivities, HIV,Seropositivities, HTLV-III,Seropositivity, AIDS,Seropositivity, HIV,Seropositivity, HTLV-III
D006684	HLA-DR Antigens	A subclass of HLA-D antigens that consist of alpha and beta chains. The inheritance of HLA-DR antigens differs from that of the HLA-DQ ANTIGENS and HLA-DP ANTIGENS.	HLA-DR,Antigens, HLA-DR,HLA DR Antigens
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993.	AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000386	AIDS-Related Complex	A prodromal phase of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Laboratory criteria separating AIDS-related complex (ARC) from AIDS include elevated or hyperactive B-cell humoral immune responses, compared to depressed or normal antibody reactivity in AIDS; follicular or mixed hyperplasia in ARC lymph nodes, leading to lymphocyte degeneration and depletion more typical of AIDS; evolving succession of histopathological lesions such as localization of Kaposi's sarcoma, signaling the transition to the full-blown AIDS.	ARC,Lymphadenopathy Syndrome,AIDS Related Complex,Complex, AIDS-Related,Lymphadenopathy Syndromes,Syndrome, Lymphadenopathy,Syndromes, Lymphadenopathy