Alfano Massimo (ed.). Soluble Factors Mediating Innate Immune Responses to HIV Infection. Bentham Books,2010. — 159 p.. 2010

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS pathogenesis have been under investigation for almost three decades. Substantial scientific and medical data have been collected on the structure of the virus and its replication cycle in infected cells. In addition, our understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV infection has greatly improved: It depends on virus-induced immune suppression as well as the formation of cellular virion reservoirs. The role of non-viral factors in AIDS pathogenesis was first identified 20 years ago with the description of soluble factors, the cytokines, which modulate HIV-1 replication in infected cells. Since then, more soluble factors have been discovered, capable of either stimulating or inhibiting HIV replication. Two critical anti-viral arms of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells (cytolytic and non-cytolytic) were shown to play a significant role in HIV prevention, and were associated with asymptomatic survival and slower disease progression. The activity of cytokines and their role in modulating HIV infection have been investigated in vitro and in vivo, both in animal models and human tissues such as gut and lymphoid tissue. Moreover, modalities of using cytokines as immunotherapy, either alone or in combination with anti-retrovirals, have been described. Leukocytes and epithelial cells produce defensins, which are innate effectors and immunomodulators during HIV infection, taking a variety of actions against microorganisms. They also act as immunomodulators involved in inflammation, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. Other soluble factors, such as the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and urokinase plasminogen activator and its receptor (uPA/uPAR system), have a critical task between innate and adaptative immunity, and may possibly interfere with HIV-1 infection. Alpha 1-antitrypsin levels, which are deficient in HIV-1 disease, and rate-limiting for CD4+ T lymphocytes, could be a therapeutic target. Research for a better understanding of the role of vitamin D during HIV infection and disease progression to AIDS is ongoing. The complement system, a prominent component of the innate immunity, is likely to aid in the control of HIV replication, although the virus has developed escape mechanisms to avoid complement-mediated destruction.

Books and textbooks on the discipline Infectious diseases:

1. Barbaro Giuseppe, Boccara Franc (eds.). Cardiovascular Disease in AIDS. 2nd edition. — Springer,2009. — 169 p. - 2009 ãîä
2. Badley A.D. (ed.). Cell Death During HIV Infection. Taylor & Francis,2006. — 511 p. - 2006 ãîä
3. Bartlett J.G., Finkbeiner A.K.. The Guide to Living with HIV Infection: Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic. Johns Hopkins University Press,2006. — 407 p. - 2006 ãîä
4. Alder M.W.. ABC of AIDS. Fifth edition. —BMJ Publishing Group,2001. — 126 p. - 2001 ãîä