title: Theoretical implications of cellular immune reactions against helper lymphocytes infected by an immune system retrovirus.
abstract: The breakdown of the immune system induced by the human immunodeficiency virus might be due to the active immune destruction of human immunodeficiency virus-infected helper T lymphocytes expressing viral antigens. By numerical simulation, we have studied possible consequences that a hypothetical immunodeficiency virus (IDV) may have on the cellular immune response by using a mathematical model. In this model, IDV infects CD4+ (helper) T cells and is actively synthesized by the immunologically activated helper T cells. Infected helper T cells synthesizing IDV express antigenic determinants specific for IDV and trigger a cellular immune response against themselves that is mediated by cytotoxic T cells and cytotoxic macrophages. The dynamic evolution of the model in the case of mixed-type infections with IDV and with another pathogen that evokes a cell-mediated immune response shows strong interactions between both simultaneous infections. The model might be of value to elucidate the dynamics leading to opportunistic infections. Furthermore, a pivotal role for immunological stimulation in the progressive exacerbation of the disease can be demonstrated.
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral