title: A TH1-->TH2 switch is a critical step in the etiology of HIV infection.
abstract: This viewpoint proposes that an imbalance in the TH1-type and TH2-type responses contributes to the immune dysregulation associated with HIV infection, and that resistance to HIV infection and/or progression to AIDS is dependent on a TH1-->TH2 dominance. This hypothesis is based on the authors' findings that: (1) progression to AIDS is characterized by loss of IL-2- and IFN-gamma production concomitant with increases in IL-4 and IL-10; and (2) many seronegative, HIV-exposed individuals generate strong TH1-type responses to HIV antigens.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Shearer
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D007378:Interleukins; D007371:Interferon-gamma