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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
09:27
New Tools to Expand Regulatory T Cells from HIV-1-infected Individuals
Published on: May 30, 2013
Th17, gut, and HIV: therapeutic implications
1Positive Health Program, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California-San Francisco, 995 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. phunt@php.ucsf.edu
Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS
|June 15, 2010
Summary
Persistent immune activation in treated HIV infection contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Restoring Th17 cells may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce these risks.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV but does not fully restore life expectancy.
- Treated HIV-infected individuals face higher risks of non-AIDS-associated diseases and premature mortality.
- Persistent immune activation and inflammation continue despite viral suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of persistent immune activation and inflammation on morbidity and mortality in treated HIV.
- To investigate the role of Th17 T-cell depletion in HIV-associated complications.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting Th17 cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent pathogenesis studies on HIV infection and immune response.
- Analysis of factors contributing to persistent immune activation.
- Exploration of the role of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and Th17 cells.
Main Results:
- Persistent immune activation and inflammation are linked to increased morbidity and mortality in treated HIV.
- Causes include low-level HIV replication, latent viral release, and microbial translocation.
- Impaired Th17 cell restoration in GALT may hinder gut barrier function and microbial clearance.
Conclusions:
- Restoring Th17 cells in GALT could be a novel therapeutic approach.
- This strategy may reduce microbial translocation and immune activation.
- Ultimately, Th17 cell restoration could decrease morbidity and mortality in treated HIV infection.
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