HIV type 1 infection in lymphoid tissue: natural history and model systems

The pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the lymphoid compartment has a dramatic effect on disease progression and important implications for therapeutic and vaccine strategies. Here we discuss current understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV in the lymphoid tissue. Various model systems that allow examination of the effect of retroviral infection in primary lymphoid organs are discussed, as well as current progress made with the use of these systems, with particular emphasis on the SCID-hu mouse.