T cell depletion in HIV-1 infection: how CD4+ T cells go out of stock

MD Hazenberg, D Hamann, H Schuitemaker… - Nature …, 2000 - nature.com
MD Hazenberg, D Hamann, H Schuitemaker, F Miedema
Nature immunology, 2000nature.com
HIV-1 infection is characterized by a gradual loss of CD4+ T cells and progressive immune
deficiency that leads to opportunistic infections, otherwise rare malignancies and ultimately
death. Extensive research over the past two decades has increased our insight into the
pathogenic mechanisms underlying these features of HIV-1 infection. Here, we will give a
brief overview of the most recent findings and present a model that fits most of the relevant
aspects of HIV-1 infection as known. We hypothesize that HIV-1 infection depletes T cell …
Abstract
HIV-1 infection is characterized by a gradual loss of CD4+ T cells and progressive immune deficiency that leads to opportunistic infections, otherwise rare malignancies and ultimately death. Extensive research over the past two decades has increased our insight into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these features of HIV-1 infection. Here, we will give a brief overview of the most recent findings and present a model that fits most of the relevant aspects of HIV-1 infection as known. We hypothesize that HIV-1 infection depletes T cell supplies (which are not replaced because of low and static thymic function) by direct infection and killing of cells and through hyperactivation of the immune system.
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