Immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Clin Infect Dis. 1993 Aug;17 Suppl 1:S224-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94002834
Poli G; Pantaleo G; Fauci AS; Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and; Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,; Maryland 20892.

Abstract: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. As a consequence of the interaction of gp120 envelope with the CD4 receptor molecule expressed by a subset of T lymphocytes and by mononuclear phagocytes (MPs), a second envelope protein (gp41) mediates fusion of the virion membrane with the target membrane. In these events the role of adhesion molecules such as LFA-1 has recently been highlighted. Following viral entry, reverse transcription of the virion-associated RNA and integration of proviral DNA into the host genome are crucial steps in HIV infection, which can lead to expression of high levels of new HIV or to silent infection for indefinite periods, a condition defined as viral latency. Several factors in addition to endogenous viral regulatory proteins have been reported as capable of modulating the state of viral latency and expression in vitro, including the cytokine network that normally modulates immune homeostasis as well as the immune response to inflammatory stimuli. Finally, recent studies have underscored the observation that the CD4+ T lymphocytes are the major reservoir of HIV in the peripheral blood compartment and in the lymphoid tissues, which are characterized by a greater viral burden, whereas in nonlymphoid organs such as the brain and the lung, local infection is predominantly sustained by MPs.

Keywords: Cytokines/IMMUNOLOGY Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Human HIV/IMMUNOLOGY/PATHOGENICITY HIV Envelope Protein gp120/IMMUNOLOGY HIV Infections/ETIOLOGY/*IMMUNOLOGY Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1/IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
940130
M9410120

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