Getting to the guts of HIV pathogenesis.
Two groups have shown that, as in macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), intestinal CD4(+) T cells are selectively and rapidly depleted in the intestine of HIV-infected patients. Depletion of intestinal CD4(+) T cells occurred at all stages of infection regardless of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Here we discuss the important implications of these papers for our understanding of HIV pathogenesis, treatment, and vaccine design.
Veazey
Ronald S
RS
Tulane National Primate Research Center, 18703 Three Rivers Rd., Covington, LA 70433, USA. rveazey@tulane.edu
Lackner
Andrew A
AA
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
D016915:AIDS Vaccines