The expression pattern of the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 on NK cells was examined in PBMC of 61 HIV-1 infected patients. Increased frequencies of CD39CD56 NK cells were detectable in untreated HIV patients, which was associated with high viral load, low CD4+ T cell count and CD8+ T cell activation. Additionally, levels of CD39 on NK cells were inducible by in vitro stimulation of NK cells, correlating with Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and IL-10 expression. Here, we provide first evidence of increased CD39CD56 NK cell frequencies during HIV infection, which might have consequences for NK cell function and HIV pathogenesis.
