Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell responses to recombinant HBV core protein in patients with normal liver function and co-infected with chronic HBV and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)

Hepatitis B core antigen regulates dendritic cell proliferation and apoptosis through regulation of PKC/NF‑κB signaling pathway

Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) possesses unusual immunologic features. However, the biological roles and mechanisms of HBcAg in dendritic cell proliferation and apoptosis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, DC2.4 cells were treated with different concentrations of HBcAg (10, 20 and 30 µg/ml). MTT assay and flow cytometry (Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis) were performed to investigate changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the changes in nuclear factor (NF)‑κB and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways. NF‑κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and PKC inhibitor Chelerythrine were used to block these two signaling pathways. It was identified that HBcAg increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis in a dose‑dependent manner. Western blotting results demonstrated that HBcAg upregulated p‑PKC, p‑IκB, p‑P65, tumor necrosis factor‑α and B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) levels, and downregulated cleaved caspase 3, demonstrating that HBcAg activated the PKC and NF‑κB signaling pathways. NF‑κB inhibitor PDTC reduced the effects of HBcAg on DC2.4 proliferation (0.6 fold vs. 0.25 fold) and apoptosis (0.43 fold vs. 0.17 fold), and on Bcl‑2 expression levels. PKC inhibitor Chelerythrine reduced the biological effects of HBcAg; it reduced proliferation (0.67 fold vs. 0.23 fold) and upregulated apoptosis (0.43 fold vs. 0.13 fold). Chelerythrine also blocked NF‑κB activity and the HBcAg‑induced Bcl‑2 increase, suggesting the effect on Bcl‑2 from HBcAg was dependent on the PKC/NF‑κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, HBcAg promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis through the PKC/NF‑κB/Bcl‑2 signaling pathway in DC2.4 cells.

KIR3DL1-Negative CD8 T Cells and KIR3DL1-Negative Natural Killer Cells Contribute to the Advantageous Control of Early Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in HLA-B Bw4 Homozygous Individuals

Bw4 homozygosity in human leukocyte antigen class B alleles has been associated with a delayed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) development and better control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral load (VL) than Bw6 homozygosity. Efficient CD8 T cell and natural killer (NK) cell functions have been described to restrain HIV-1 replication. However, the role of KIR3DL1 expression on these cells was not assessed in Bw4-homozygous participants infected with HIV-1 CRF01_A/E subtype, currently the most prevalent subtype in China. Here, we found that the frequency of KIR3DL1-expressing CD8 T cells of individuals homozygous for Bw6 [1.53% (0–4.56%)] was associated with a higher VL set point (Spearman r_s = 0.59, P = 0.019), but this frequency of KIR3DL1⁺CD8⁺ T cells [1.37% (0.04–6.14%)] was inversely correlated with CD4 T-cell count in individuals homozygous for Bw4 (r_s = −0.59, P = 0.011). Moreover, CD69 and Ki67 were more frequently expressed in KIR3DL1⁻CD8⁺ T cells in individuals homozygous for Bw4 than Bw6 (P = 0.046 for CD69; P = 0.044 for Ki67), although these molecules were less frequently expressed in KIR3DL1⁺CD8⁺ T cells than in KIR3DL1⁻CD8⁺ T cells in both groups (all P < 0.05). KIR3DL1⁻CD8⁺ T cells have stronger p24-specific CD8⁺ T-cell responses secreting IFN-γ and CD107a than KIR3DL1⁺CD8⁺ T cells in both groups (all P < 0.05). Thus, KIR3DL1 expression on CD8 T cells were associated with the loss of multiple functions. Interestingly, CD69⁺NK cells lacking KIR3DL1 expression were inversely correlated with HIV-1 VL set point in Bw4-homozygous individuals (r_s = −0.52, P = 0.035). Therefore, KIR3DL1⁻CD8⁺ T cells with strong early activation and proliferation may, together with KIR3DL1⁻CD69⁺NK cells, play a protective role during acute/early HIV infection in individuals homozygous for Bw4. These findings highlight the superior functions of KIR3DL1⁻CD8⁺ T cells and KIR3DL1⁻CD69⁺NK cells being a potential factor contributing to delayed disease progression in the early stages of HIV-1 infection.