Human retroviruses and herpes viruses: their role in immune dysfunctions and neoplasia

Human retroviruses (HTLV-I, HTLV-II, HIV-1, and HIV-2) and some human herpes viruses (notably EBV and HHV-6 or HBLV) infect chiefly target cells of the immune system. They can alter function of these cells, leading to many side effects, including mild (HTLVs), transient (EBV, HHV-6), or profound (HIVs) immune impairment with the associated clinical consequences. The retroviruses can also cause injury to the central nervous system but the mechanisms are poorly understood. An almost opposite effect of all of these immunocytotropic viruses is their capacity to directly induce abnormal cell growth of their target cells or indirectly of other cells. In addition to their importance in human disease, studies of these viruses are helping to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, fundamental aspects of the immune system, and of the origin, cellular and molecular pathogenesis of human tumors.