Spatial localization of CD16a at the human NK cell ADCC lytic synapse.

Natural Killer (NK) cells utilize effector functions, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), for the clearance of viral infection and cellular malignancies. NK cell ADCC is mediated by FcRIIIa (CD16a) binding to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) within immune complexes on a target cell surface. While antibody-induced clustering of CD16a is thought to drive ADCC, the molecular basis for this activity has not been fully described.

Macaques vaccinated with live-attenuated SIV control replication of heterologous virus.

An effective AIDS vaccine will need to protect against globally diverse isolates of HIV. To address this issue in macaques, we administered a live-attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine and challenged with a highly pathogenic heterologous isolate. Vaccinees reduced viral replication by approximately 2 logs between weeks 2-32 (P < or = 0.