The disappearing CD4(+)T cells in HIV infection: a case of over-stimulation?
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a gradual decline in essential immune-system cells called CD4(+)"helper" T cells. These cells are also principal viral targets, but, paradoxically, direct cell-killing does not explain their disappearance. HIV also induces a chronic and increasing state of immune activation. In a mathematical model of normal T-cell kinetics incorporating a cytokine growth factor, increased activation alone explains these T-cell losses, a switch from "naïve" to "memory" phenotype, and certain other features of HIV disease.
Wick
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, MP-900, 1124 Columbia Street, Seattle, WA 98105-2092, USA. wick@hivnet.fhcrc.org
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological
D007376:Interleukin-2