title: [Immunologic control of HIV-1 infection. Fantasy or soon reality?].
abstract: The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) preferentially infects CD4+ cells, leading to their destruction. In contrast to other viral infections, the immune system is unable to keep the HIV infection under permanent control in most cases. This failure ultimatively results in immunodeficiency with occurrence of AIDS-defining diseases. In recent years, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has become available, and the number of AIDS cases and deaths have decreased dramatically. However, limitations of HAART become more apparent, demanding greater emphasis on search for alternative approaches. Stimulation and modulation of the immune response to HIV are new and promising strategies. A prerequisite, however, is the knowledge about immunologic defense mechanisms against HIV. In this article, the major factors of innate and acquired immune responses to HIV are described.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Klinische Immunologie der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover. Heiken.Hans@MH-Hannover.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heiken
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoll
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valor
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003906:Developing Countries; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines