THE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUSES

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

THE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUSES

The Epidemiology of AIDS: Expression, Occurrence, and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection. Kaslow RA and Francis DP, eds. New York, Oxford University Press, p. 3-17, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90668108
Fultz P; Dept. of Pathology, Sch. of Medicine, Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA; 30322

Abstract: The genomes of several isolates of HIV from different areas of the world have been sequenced, proteins encoded in the viral gene have been identified, and their individual functions have been studied. Epidemiologic data and clinical observations on immunologic abnormalities in AIDS patients helped to identify the primary target cells for HIV as CD4+ lymphocytes and cells of monocytic origin, with the CD4 molecule itself serving as the virus receptor. HIV has been shown to be cytopathic for some cells in which it replicates, particularly CD4+ T cells. These findings led to a reasonable hypothesis to explain the severe immunodeficiency in persons infected with HIV. Virus-host interactions and biologic properties of HIV are reviewed under the following headings: the retrovirus family; the HIV family; role of cellular tropism in pathogenesis and transmission of HIV; pathogenesis of HIV; virologic aspects of transmission; natural history of infection; and the meaning of seropositivity. HIV is a lentiretrovirus with a genetic complexity not seen previously in any class of retrovirus. Its insidious nature is severalfold: HIV is tropic and lytic for immunologically important CD4+ T-helper cells; it integrates into host cell DNA, where it can remain dormant for extended periods; it latently infects cells of monocyte lineage that can migrate throughout the body; it is neurotropic; and its antigenic and biologic properties are heterogeneous. Although much has been learned about the HIV family of retroviruses, additional molecular and biologic information on HIV will be needed to develop more successful intervention. (102 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/DIAGNOSIS/*MICROBIOLOGY/ TRANSMISSION Animal Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/GENETICS CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/MICROBIOLOGY Human HIV/*GENETICS/IMMUNOLOGY HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS HIV Infections/DIAGNOSIS/*MICROBIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION HIV-1/GENETICS Monocytes/MICROBIOLOGY Virus Replication/GENETICS MONOGRAPH REVIEW
912130
M91C4109

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