In comparison to both HIV-1 progressors or healthy persons, dendritic cells from “elite” controllers had significantly higher ability to expand allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, CD40, CD83) were expressed at higher levels in HIV-1 progressors, while no significant difference was observed between controllers and HIV-1 negative persons. To determine underlying reasons for the increased functional activity of mDCs in controllers, we assessed the expression of regulatory dendritic cells receptors that can critically modulate dendritic cell function. The receptor ILT2 and ILT5 were significantly higher expressed on mDC in controllers, as opposed to either progressors of HIV-1 negative persons. Si-RNA mediated knock out of ILT2 or ILT5 led to significant reduction of the functional activity of dendritic cells, indicating that it has a critical stimulatory effect on these cells.