Biology of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and natural killer cells in HIV-1 infection

Abstract

Purpose: This review summarizes recent literature on the biology of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in HIV-1 infection and the importance of crosstalk between them in the development of strong antiviral immunity.

Recent findings: Type I interferons produced by dendritic cells in response to HIV-1 have been suggested to act as a double-edged sword, stemming HIV-1 replication on the one hand and causing T-cell loss on the other. Recent epidemiologic evidence demonstrates a strong association between the natural killer cell receptor KIR3DS1 (along with its presumed ligand HLA-B Bw4-80I) in the control of HIV-1 replication.

Summary: Dendritic and natural killer cells play a central role in the innate immune response to viral infections through both the direct elimination of infected cells and modulation of each other's function.