Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) Cells in HAART-Treated,HIV-Positive Patients with Bone and Cardiovascular Impairment |
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| Authors: | Camilla Tincati Matteo Basilissi Elisabetta Sinigaglia Esther Merlini Giovanni Carpani Antonella d’Arminio Monforte Giulia Marchetti |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, “San Paolo” Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.; 2. Blood Transfusion Unit, “San Paolo” Hospital, Milan, Italy.; New York University, United States of America, |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundInvariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells represent a determinant in the course of infections and diseases, however, their role in the pathogenesis of non-infectious co-morbidities in HIV-positive patients is unknown.MethodsFlow cytometry was used to investigate iNKT cell frequency, phenotype and function in HIV-infected patients on HAART with bone and/or cardiovascular disorders and in HIV-positive controls free from co-morbidities.ResultsiNKT cells from subjects with bone and cardiovascular impairment expressed high levels of CD161 and predominantly secreted TNF. iNKT cells from individuals with bone disease alone did not show any distinctive phenotypical or functional characteristics. The functional capacity of iNKT cells in patients with cardiovascular disorder was impaired with no cytokine release upon stimulation.ConclusioniNKT cells may have a role in non-infectious co-morbidities in treated HIV disease, possibly through the exacerbation of inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of non-communicable disorders in HIV infection. |
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