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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
Th17 cells in natural SIV hosts.
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 702 Stellar Chance Laboratory, 422 Curie Blvd., PA 19104, USA. mpaiardi@mail.med.upenn.edu
Th17 cells are depleted in pathogenic HIV/SIV infections but preserved in nonpathogenic infections. Understanding this difference is key to improving mucosal immunity in HIV patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Th17 cells are crucial for mucosal immunity.
- HIV and SIV infections impact Th17 cell levels differently.
- Pathogenesis of lentiviral infections correlates with Th17 cell status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulation of Th17 cells in pathogenic and nonpathogenic lentiviral infections.
- To understand Th17 cell dynamics in HIV and SIV infection.
- To explore the role of Th17 cells in determining disease outcome.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Th17 cell regulation.
- Comparative analysis of Th17 cell levels in different lentiviral infection models.
- Examination of mucosal immunity in pathogenic vs. nonpathogenic infections.
Main Results:
- Th17 cells are preferentially depleted in the gastrointestinal tract during pathogenic HIV/SIV infections.
- Th17 cells are maintained in natural SIV hosts (sooty mangabeys, AGMs), who remain AIDS-free.
- Preservation of Th17 cells is linked to nonpathogenic lentiviral infection outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Preferential depletion of mucosal Th17 cells distinguishes pathogenic HIV from nonprogressive SIV infections.
- Mechanisms for Th17 cell preservation in natural SIV hosts are not fully understood.
- Investigating Th17 cell preservation in SIV hosts may yield therapeutic strategies for HIV-infected individuals.
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