Role of GB virus C in modulating HIV disease.
GB virus C (GBV-C) is a member of the Flaviviridae family and the most closely related human virus to HCV. However, GBV-C does not replicate in hepatocytes, but rather in lymphocytes. GBV-C has a worldwide distribution and is transmitted sexually, parenterally and through mother-to-child transmission. Thus, co-infection with HCV and HIV is common. Until now, no human disease has been associated with GBV-C infection. However, there are several reports of a beneficial effect of GBV-C on HIV disease progression in vivo. Different mechanisms to explain these observations have been proposed, including modification of antiviral cytokine production, HIV co-receptor expression, direct inhibition of HIV-1 entry, T-cell activation and Fas-mediated apoptosis. Further understanding of these mechanisms may open new strategies for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. carolynne.schwarze-zander@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Carolynne
C
Schwarze-Zander
Jason T
JT
Blackard
Juergen K
JK
Rockstroh
D060085:Coinfection; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load; D053586:Virus Internalization; D014779:Virus Replication
D016207:Cytokines; D012367:RNA, Viral