title: Mechanisms of lymphocyte killing by HIV.
abstract: One of the remaining mysteries of HIV infection is what causes the destruction of the CD4+ T cells. Several reports in the past year have linked viral load to disease progression, strengthening the conclusion that the virus is responsible for CD4+ T-cell depletion. We discuss several possible mechanisms of T-cell death, including the killing of uninfected CD4+ T cells. We also discuss the possibility that the virus protects the cell it infects at least until viral replication can be completed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Finkel
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016923:Cell Death; D015658:HIV Infections; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans