[Role of Follicular helper CD4 T cells in HIV/SIV infection]

Abstract

Follicular CD4 T helper (TFH) cells promote the survival, isotype switching and generation of high affinity memory B cells and plasma cells. There are numerous reports regarding the dysfunction of B cell mediated immune responses, the lack of memory CD4 T cells and the dysfunction of HIV specific CD4 T cells in SIV/HIV infection. During chronic SIV/HIV infection, TFH cell accumulation may drive B cell dysfunction and become a major HIV reservoir. In this review, we discuss the relationship between TFH cells and B cells in SIV/HIV infection.