The dynamics of CD4+ T-cell depletion in HIV disease.
The size and composition of the CD4+ T-cell population is regulated by balanced proliferation of progenitor cells and death of mature progeny. After infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, this homeostasis is often disturbed and CD4+ T cells are instead depleted. Such depletion cannot result simply from accelerated destruction of mature CD4+ T cells - sources of T-cell production must also fail. Ironically, this failure may be precipitated by physiological mechanisms designed to maintain homeostasis in the face of accelerated T-cell loss.
McCune
J M
JM
Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, 94141-9100, USA. mmccune@gladstone.ucsf.edu
D000818:Animals; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016923:Cell Death; D018450:Disease Progression; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D019891:Leukopoiesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008954:Models, Biological