title: Therapeutic role of CD8+ T cells in HIV-1 infection: targets and suppressors of viral replication.
abstract: CD8+ T cells are pivotal in controlling viral replication in HIV-1-infected subjects. However, in chronic infection, HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells fail to adequately control infection, presenting incomplete maturation and more severe functional impairment with advanced disease. Accumulating evidence has shown that CD8+ T cells can also be productively infected by HIV-1. Whether HIV-1 infection of CD8+ T lymphocytes impacts on their antiviral activity remains to be determined. This review explores the potential mechanisms of HIV-1 infection of CD8+ T cells, its likely contribution to the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and potential therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia, Centro Biomédico, UFES, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Meireles-de-Souza
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shattock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*