The abnormal distribution of NK cell subsets before HAART treatment may be related to the level of immune reconstitution in HIV patient.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection leads to the damage of NK cells, which is closely associated with the disease's progression, but whether it affects immune reconstitution after Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is not clear. METHODS: From March 9 to October 31, 2017, a total of 75 confirmed cases with HIV in Wenzhou were collected and analyzed. NK cell subsets were measured and compared among three groups: the control group, the group whose CD4+ T cell counts <200/µL (named as low-CD4 group) and the group whose CD4+ T cell counts ≥200/µL (named as high-CD4 group). The lymphocytic subsets were dynamically monitored in patients with HIV after HAART. RESULTS: Patients in low-CD4 group have lower proportion of CD3-CD56dimCD16+ NK cell subset, but have higher proportion of CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cell subsets, which were compared with patients in high-CD4 group (All P values <0.01). There is a positive correlation between the proportion of CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cell subset and CD4+ T cell counts (r = 0.628, p < 0.001). Patients in the low-CD4 group have higher expression of PD-1 and PS on NK cells than patients in the high-CD4 group (All P values < 0.05). The odds ratio of the proportion of the CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cell subset before treatment for HAART efficacy was 0.826 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There are abnormalities in the proportion and function of NK cell subsets in HIV patients, which are associated with disease progression. The proportion of the CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cell subset before treatment is related with HAART efficacy.