CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in HIV infection.
The immune system faces the difficult task of discerning between foreign, potentially pathogen-derived antigens and self-antigens. Several mechanisms, including deletion of self-reactive T cells in the thymus, have been shown to contribute to the acceptance of self-antigens and the reciprocal reactivity to foreign antigens. Over the last decade it has become increasingly clear that CD4(+)CD25(+) T(Reg) cells are crucial for maintenance of T cell tolerance to self-antigens in the periphery, and to avoid development of autoimmune disorders. Recently, evidence has also emerged that demonstrates that CD4(+)CD25(+) T(Reg) cells can also suppress T cell responses to foreign pathogens, including viruses such as HIV. In this article we review the current knowledge and potential role of CD4(+)CD25(+) T(Reg) cells in HIV infection.
Nixon
Douglas F
DF
Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Aandahl
Einar M
EM
Michaëlsson
Jakob
J
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2