Abstract
Despite readily detectable virus-specific CD8(+)T cells inmost HIV-infected patients, immune surveillance is eventually lost, leading to progression to AIDS. Recently developed insights into human T-cell differentiation have been used to study the phenotype of virus-specific T cells in HIV-infected individuals. Based on these results, we propose that failing immune control in human viral infection could be a result of impaired cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) maturation into fully differentiated effector T cells. Impaired maturation is not confined to HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells but could also be involved in failing immunity to Epstein-Barr virus and other viral infections. We postulate that CD27(-) effector CD8(+) T cells might be required for adequate control of chronic viral infection and prevention of disease development
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 586-591 |
Journal | Trends in immunology |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |