Cytokine Production of CD56^bright Natural Killer Cells From Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Individuals Under Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with impaired natural killer (NK) cell activity, which is only incompletely restored under antiretroviral therapy. Analyzing the bioenergetics profiles of oxygen consumption, we observed that several parameters were significantly reduced in HIV⁺ NK cells, indicating a mitochondrial defect. Accordingly, we found HIV⁺ CD56^bright NK cells to display a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial mass. Both parameters were positively correlated with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production of NK cells. Finally, we demonstrated that stimulation of HIV⁺ NK cells with MitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeting antioxidant, significantly improved IFN-γ production. We identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a mechanism that contributes to impaired NK cell function.