RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Rodriguez, Annette R. A1 Arulanandam, Bernard P. A1 Hodara, Vida L. A1 McClure, Hazel M. A1 Cobb, Elaine K. A1 Salas, Mary T. A1 White, Robert A1 Murthy, Krishna K.YR 2007 T1 Influence of interleukin-15 on CD8+ natural killer cells in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected chimpanzees JF Journal of General Virology, VO 88 IS 2 SP 641 OP 651 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.82154-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Chimpanzees are susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and develop persistent infection but generally do not progress to full-blown AIDS. Several host and immunological factors have been implicated in mediating resistance to disease progression. Chimpanzees have a higher prevalence of circulating natural killer (NK) cells than humans; however, their role in mediating resistance to disease progression is not well understood. Furthermore, NK cell survival and activity have been shown to be dependent on interleukin-15 (IL-15). Accordingly, the influence of IL-15 on NK cell activity and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production was evaluated in naive and HIV-1-infected chimpanzees. In vitro stimulation of whole-blood cultures with recombinant gp120 (rgp120) resulted in enhanced IFN-γ production predominantly by the CD3− CD8+ subset of NK cells, and addition of anti-IL-15 to the system decreased IFN-γ production. Moreover, in vitro stimulation with recombinant IL-15 (rIL-15) augmented IFN-γ production from this subset of NK cells and increased NK cell cytotoxic activity. Stimulation with rgp120 also resulted in a 2- to 7-fold increase in IL-15 production. These findings suggest that chimpanzee CD3− CD8+ NK cells play a vital role in controlling HIV-1 infection by producing high levels of IFN-γ, and that IL-15 elicits IFN-γ production in this subpopulation of NK cells in HIV-1-infected chimpanzees., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.82154-0