title: T-cell-mediated immunopathology versus direct cytolysis by virus: implications for HIV and AIDS.
abstract: It has been much debated as to whether CD4+ T-cell depletion and the pathogenesis of AIDS is the result of direct cytolytic effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), T-cell apoptosis by nonspecific activation, dysregulation of cytokine production, or autoimmunity. In this context, Rolf Zinkernagel and Hans Hengartner discuss data from model infections with non-cytopathic viruses. They suggest that HIV may cause immunosuppression, not by direct cytolytic effects, but rather by a conventional virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell-mediated immunopathology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zinkernagel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hengartner
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology