title: Changes in Follicular CD4+ T Helper Cells as a Marker for Evaluating Disease Progression in the Competition between HIV and Host Immunity.
abstract: Follicular CD4+ T helper (TFH) cells interact with B cells in follicular germinal centers and play a prominent role in promoting effective humoral immune responses to pathogens, providing help for B cell development and antibody affinity maturation. Recent studies indicate TFH cells are expanded in HIV/SIV chronic infection, or depleted in terminal stages of disease, yet relatively maintained in elite controllers when compared with uninfected controls. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind these immunologic abnormalities may lead to more effective vaccination and therapeutic strategies. Here, we review recent findings of TFH cells in HIV/SIV infection and discuss the correlation of changes and function of TFH cells with host immunity. Dysregulation or depletion of CD4+ TFH cells likely plays a major role in the inability of HIV-infected patients to mount effective immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine , Covington, LA , USA.
authors.forename: Xiaolei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine , Covington, LA , USA.
authors.forename: Widade
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ziani
authors.affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine , Covington, LA , USA.
authors.forename: Huanbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: HIV; SIV; TFH cells; follicular CD4 T helper cells; immunity