The good and evil of complement activation in HIV-1 infection.
The complement system, a key component of innate immunity, is a first-line defender against foreign pathogens such as HIV-1. The role of the complement system in HIV-1 pathogenesis appears to be multifaceted. Although the complement system plays critical roles in clearing and neutralizing HIV-1 virions, it also represents a critical factor for the spread and maintenance of the virus in the infected host. In addition, complement regulators such as human CD59 present in the envelope of HIV-1 prevent complement-mediated lysis of HIV-1. Some novel approaches are proposed to combat HIV-1 infection through the enhancement of antibody-dependent complement activity against HIV-1. In this paper, we will review these diverse roles of complement in HIV-1 infection.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Qigui
Q
Yu
Richard
R
Yu
Xuebin
X
Qin
D000818:Animals; D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D003167:Complement Activation; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy
D018957:CD59 Antigens; D015483:HIV Antibodies