Deciphering the role of HLA-f and KIR3DS1 on NK function and HIV pathogenesis

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded George Washington University $781,999 on August 7, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to decipher mechanisms regulating the HLA-F and KIR3DS1 interaction in natural killer cells and HIV pathogenesis. The project, titled "Deciphering the Role of HLA-F and KIR3DS1 on NK Function and HIV Pathogenesis," focuses on understanding how the interaction between the KIR3DS1 receptor on NK cells and the HLA-F molecule on target cells can be augmented by interleukin-15 and retinoids to enhance NK cell killing of HIV-infected cells. The research will examine how cytokines and retinoids contribute to augmentation of this interaction, with potential implications for developing new HIV cure strategies. Prior work published by the investigator established that KIR3DS1 combinations are associated with delayed HIV disease progression and that IL-15 and retinoids can enhance the NK cell response; this project will establish underlying mechanisms to enable further therapeutic manipulation. Work is performed in Washington, DC. The award period runs through July 31, 2027. The assistance type is Project Grant.

Abstract

HIV infection is the second leading cause of viral infection-related mortality in the united states. Furthermore, the inability of the immune system to clear the virus renders this chronic infection a major driver of inflammation- associated CO-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. This emphasizes the need to understand mechanisms that contribute to immune-mediated control of infection and how these could be exploited to develop cure strategies. Natural killer (NK) cells help control infection by killing infected cells; their function is tightly regulated by a balance of activating and inhibitory receptors present on both the NK cell and the target cell. NK cell killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (kirs) interact with different members of MHC-i proteins and regulate the activation or inhibition of NK cytotoxic activity. Population studies have identified combinations of KIR and MHC-i alleles associated with slower HIV disease progression. Among them, KIR3DS1 (whose sequence is relatively conserved compared to other kirs) was the first to be associated with delayed disease progression. KIR3DS1 interacts with the nonclassical MHC-i molecule, HLA-f, which is also relatively conserved compared to classical MHC-i molecules that bind to KIR2 and KIR3 proteins. This interaction triggers NK cytotoxicity towards HIV-infected cells. Our recently published work suggests that this KIR3DS1/HLA-f interaction can be augmented by IL-15 and retinoids. While these are clinically approved for cancer therapy and are safe in art-suppressed people with HIV, the mechanisms that contribute to this augmentation, with the potential for further manipulation are unknown. The overall goal of this proposal is to decipher the mechanisms that regulate the HLA-f/KIR3DS1 interaction in the context of infection, cytokines, and retinoids. Our central hypothesis is that the pathways that regulate the KIR3DS1/HLA-f interaction can be exploited to enhance NK cell-mediated control of infection in vitro and in vivo. In aim 1, we will evaluate the contribution of human genetic polymorphisms, viral subtype, and HIV accessory genes on HLA-f expression. In addition, we will assess the effects of various cytokines and new retinoids on HLA-f expression. In aim 2, we will evaluate the interplay of KIR3DS1 and HLA-f in controlling HIV infection in vitro. This will include assessing the effects of the cytokines and retinoids described in aim 1 on NK cell phenotype and function. In addition, a custom cite-SEQ panel and single cell metabolomic profiling will be used for a comprehensive analysis of KIR3DS1-expressing VS non- expressing NK cells to determine whether pathway differences between these populations could be exploited to expand or enhance the function of KIR3DS1+ NK cells. In aim 3, using samples from two clinical trials, we will assess the in vivo effects of the IL-15 superagonist, n-803 (actg A5386), and the retinoid, isotretinoin (actg A5323), on CD4+ t cell HLA-f expression, NK cell phenotype/metabolomic, and whether these associate with reservoir dynamics. Together, our studies will yield insights into the pathways that modulate the KIR3DS1/HLA- f interaction that could help develop cure strategies with FDA-approved biologics and small molecule inhibitors.