<p>Natural killer (NK) cells serve as the first line of defense in the immune system and play a crucial role in fighting against HIV infection. The effective function of NK cells is closely related to their migratory capacity. However, the status of NK cell migration in HIV-infected individuals and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we found that NK cell migration was significantly impaired in HIV-infected individuals, with even lower levels in immune non-responders (INRs) compared with immune responders (IRs), and was positively correlated with CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell counts. Further investigation suggested that the reduced NK cell migration in HIV infection was caused by impaired glycolysis. Mechanistically, NK cell migration was regulated by the HIF-1α pathway. The inhibitory receptor TIGIT suppressed HIF-1α expression by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 and ERK signaling pathways, consequently weakening glycolysis in NK cells of HIV-infected individuals and ultimately leading to downregulation of migration. Collectively, we uncovered a mechanism of reduced NK cell migration during HIV infection and provided new insights for potential immunotherapeutic strategies.</p><p></p>

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Impaired natural killer cell migration in HIV-infected individuals is caused by TIGIT-mediated inhibition of HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis

  • Xiaowen Yu,
  • Jie Zhou,
  • Jie Lei,
  • Hongchi Ge,
  • Zining Zhang,
  • Yajing Fu,
  • Xiaoxu Han,
  • Qinghai Hu,
  • Haibo Ding,
  • Wenqing Geng,
  • Hong Shang,
  • Yongjun Jiang

摘要

Natural killer (NK) cells serve as the first line of defense in the immune system and play a crucial role in fighting against HIV infection. The effective function of NK cells is closely related to their migratory capacity. However, the status of NK cell migration in HIV-infected individuals and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we found that NK cell migration was significantly impaired in HIV-infected individuals, with even lower levels in immune non-responders (INRs) compared with immune responders (IRs), and was positively correlated with CD4+ T cell counts. Further investigation suggested that the reduced NK cell migration in HIV infection was caused by impaired glycolysis. Mechanistically, NK cell migration was regulated by the HIF-1α pathway. The inhibitory receptor TIGIT suppressed HIF-1α expression by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 and ERK signaling pathways, consequently weakening glycolysis in NK cells of HIV-infected individuals and ultimately leading to downregulation of migration. Collectively, we uncovered a mechanism of reduced NK cell migration during HIV infection and provided new insights for potential immunotherapeutic strategies.