HIV, 'an evolving species'. Roles of cellular activation and co-infections.
Each small variation of the genome of a species can be preserved if it is useful for the survival of the species in a given environment. Within this framework, the finality of the biological cycle of HIV consists in a search for harmony (biological coherence) with man, which is to say a stable condition. Cellular activation appears to be the strategy developed by HIV in order to achieve this coherence. The price of this strategy is the AIDS. The first contact between HIV and immune system appears to determine the subsequent clinical outcome and the future of HIV. Lymphocytic activation varies during the course of the vital cycle of HIV. For each individual, this lymphocytic activation depends on both the HLA repertoire acquired during thymic ontogenesis and the antigenic experience before and after HIV infection. Thus intercurrent infections alter the immune condition of the organism and influence the outcome of HIV. We described a synthetic analysis of the effects of HIV on the surface protein expression and the cellular activation pathways which should provide insights in the evolutionary relationship between HIV and man and should permit to do a more physiological therapeutic approach.
Plumelle
Yves
Y
Department of Hematobiology, University Hospital, France. yvesplumelle@yahoo.com
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011533:Proviruses / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D005819:Genetic Markers; D006680:HLA Antigens