The abnormal distribution of NK cell subsets before HAART treatment may be related to the level of immune reconstitution in HIV patient

•NK cell subsets in HIV patients are associated with disease progression.•Patients with low CD4+ T cells have higher expression of PD-1 and PS on NK cells.•The CD3−CD56−CD16+ NK cell subset before treatment is related with HAART efficacy. HIV infection leads to the damage of NK cells, which is closely associated with the disease's progression, but whether it affects immune reconstitution after Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is not clear. From March 9 to October 31, 2017, a total of 75 confirmed cases with HIV in Wenzhou were collected and analyzed. NK cell subsets were measured and compared among three groups: the control group, the group whose CD4+ T cell counts