Analyzing the expression of NK cell ligands in CD4+ T cells infected with HIV Q23-17 strain

The purpose of this experiment is to profile the expression of a panel of NK cell ligands on HIV (Q23-17 strain)-infected CD4+ T cells with CyTOF. We compared the expression of NK cell ligands in HIV-infected CD4+ T cells (p24+), in bystander CD4+ T cells (exposed to HIV but not infected, p24-) and in mock-infected CD4+ T cells (not exposed to HIV). The result will indicate the mechanism of how NK cells recognize HIV-infected CD4+ T cells.
Conclusion:
We identified multiple ligands of NK cell receptors, including Nectin-2, B7-H6, LFA-3 and the NKG2D ligands (MICA/B and ULBP1/2/5/6) to be predictive of HIV-infected cells. CD48 was a predictor of p24+ cells when compared to p24- bystanders, but not predictive of total CD4+ T cells in the culture with HIV compared to mock-infected controls.
Notes:
The fcs files uploaded here have been normalized with EQ Beads. The fcs files were analyzed to gate on HIV-infected cells (p24+) and bystander cells (p24-) within the CD4+ T cell culture that have been inoculated with HIV. Phenotypic analysis was performed on HIV-infected cells (p24+), bystander cells (p24-) and mock-infected CD4+ T cells (not inoculated with HIV).