Elevated HLA-A expression impairs HIV control through inhibition of NKG2A-expressing cells
Ramsuran V., Naranbhai V., Horowitz A., Qi Y., Martin MP., Yuki Y., Gao X., Walker-Sperling V., Del Prete GQ., Schneider DK., Lifson JD., Fellay J., Deeks SG., Martin JN., Goedert JJ., Wolinsky SM., Michael NL., Kirk GD., Buchbinder S., Haas D., Ndung’u T., Goulder P., Parham P., Walker BD., Carlson JM., Carrington M.
Inhibiting natural killer cells in AIDS The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene complex varies enormously among individuals and helps explain individual variation in immunity to infectious diseases. Ramsuran et al. examined data from almost 10,000 HIV infections. Expression of the HLA-A and - B alleles was associated with higher viral load, reduced CD4 + T cell counts, and accelerated progression to AIDS. Higher levels of HLA-A expression increased expression of HLA-E , which blocks a specific receptor (NKG2A) on the immune cells that normally eliminate virus-infected cells. Thus, targeting NKG2A might provide a therapeutic avenue for HIV treatment. Science , this issue p. 86