[HIV-suppressive factors]

A number of host and microbial factors have been shown to modulate HIV-1 infection. Their inhibitory effects are either HIV-specific or non-specific, and involve many different kinds of mechanisms. Among anti-HIV host factors are natural ligands or natural antibodies to HIV coreceptors, anti-inflammatory cytokines, interferons and several body fluid components (such as lactoferrin and prostaglandins). Microbial pathogens/factors that may suppress HIV-1 infection include lipopolysaccharide, scrub-typhus rickettsia, human herpesviruses-6 or -7, and GB virus C. While simple application of these HIV-suppressive factors for HIV-infected individuals is not realistic, investigation of mechanisms involved may lead to better understanding of HIV pathogenesis and help establish novel anti-HIV strategy.