Dissecting How CD4 T Cells Are Lost During HIV Infection

Cell Host Microbe. 2016 Mar 9;19(3):280-91. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.02.012.

Abstract

Although the replicative life cycle of HIV within CD4 T cells is understood in molecular detail, less is known about how this human retrovirus promotes the loss of CD4 T lymphocytes. It is this cell death process that drives clinical progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Recent studies have highlighted how abortive infection of resting and thus nonpermissive CD4 T cells in lymphoid tissues triggers a lethal innate immune response against the incomplete DNA products generated by inefficient viral reverse transcription in these cells. Sensing of these DNA fragments results in pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory form of programmed cell death, that potentially further perpetuates chronic inflammation and immune activation. As discussed here, these studies cast CD4 T cell death during HIV infection in a different light. Further, they identify drug targets that may be exploited to both block CD4 T cell demise and the chronic inflammatory response generated during pyroptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • HIV / pathogenicity*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Pyroptosis*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral