1. Innate immunity and chronic immune activation in HCV/HIV-1 co-infection
- Author
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Gonzalez, Veronica D., Landay, Alan L., and Sandberg, Johan K.
- Subjects
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NATURAL immunity , *VIRUS diseases , *IMMUNOREGULATION , *HIV infections , *HEPATITIS C virus , *DISEASE progression , *INTERFERONS - Abstract
Abstract: Innate immune responses are critical in the defense against viral infections. NK cells, myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and invariant CD1d-restricted NKT cells mediate both effector and regulatory functions in this early immune response. In chronic uncontrolled viral infections such as HCV and HIV-1, these essential immune functions are compromised and can become a double edged sword contributing to the immunopathogenesis of viral disease. In particular, recent findings indicate that innate immune responses play a central role in the chronic immune activation which is a primary driver of HIV-1 disease progression. HCV/HIV-1 co-infection is affecting millions of people and is associated with faster viral disease progression. Here, we review the role of innate immunity and chronic immune activation in HCV and HIV-1 infection, and discuss how mechanisms of innate immunity may influence protection as well as immunopathogenesis in the HCV/HIV-1 co-infected human host. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
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