KIR2DL2 inhibitory pathway enhances Th17 cytokine secretion by NK cells in response to herpesvirus infection in multiple sclerosis patients

We have previously demonstrated that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with KIR2DL2 expression on Natural killer (NK) cells are more susceptible to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection. We explored cytokine expression by NK cells during HSV-1 infection in association with KIR2DL2 expression. MS KIR2DL2+ NK cells failed to control HSV-1 infection and secreted high levels of Th17 cytokines, while MS KIR2DL2- NK cells released Th1 cytokines, mainly IFN-gamma. Our data showed, for the first time, a peculiar Th17 cytokine secretion by MS KIR2DL2+ NK cells in the presence of HSV-1 infection, that could be implicated in MS pathogenesis.