title: Regulatory T cells prevent liver fibrosis during HIV type 1 infection in a humanized mouse model.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease is associated with aberrant immune activation, and coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) exacerbates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the role of HIV-1 infection or host immune modulation in liver pathogenesis is not clearly defined. Here, we report that regulatory T (Treg) cells prevent liver immunopathogenesis during HIV-1 infection in a humanized mouse model. In the absence of Treg cells, HIV-1 infection induced liver fibrosis associated with hepatic stellate cell activation, hepatitis, and liver injury. Our findings provide new insight linking Treg cells and liver immunopathogenesis during HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Jun-Ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunoya
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.forename: Grigoriy I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Kovalev
authors.forename: Lishan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060085:Coinfection / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: HIV-1 infection; Treg cells; inflammation; liver fibrosis