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Hide, shield and strike back: how HIV-infected cells avoid immune eradication.
B Matija Peterlin1, Didier Trono
1Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0703, USA. matija@itsa.ucsf.edu
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|February 4, 2003
Summary
Chronic infections involve viruses like HIV evading immune responses. Understanding HIV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Viruses causing chronic infections possess sophisticated mechanisms to evade host immune responses.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) serves as a prime example of such a pathogen, exhibiting remarkable immune evasion strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted strategies employed by viruses, particularly HIV, to evade immune system detection and eradication.
- To highlight the importance of understanding these viral evasion tactics for developing novel therapeutic interventions against Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- This study reviews the known immune evasion mechanisms of HIV.
- Analysis of viral mutation rates and antibody accessibility.
- Examination of cellular hideouts and proviral latency establishment.
- Investigation of viral impact on cell-surface receptors and immune effectors.
Main Results:
- HIV rapidly mutates, hindering antibody neutralization.
- The virus establishes cellular reservoirs (hideouts) and enters a latent proviral state.
- HIV downregulates cell-surface receptors and eliminates immune cells.
- These combined strategies contribute to viral persistence and immune escape.
Conclusions:
- HIV employs a diverse array of immune evasion tactics, including rapid mutation, latency, and destruction of immune components.
- A comprehensive understanding of these viral strategies is crucial for advancing the development of effective treatments and potential cures for AIDS.