ForewordCytokine networks during HIV infection: Shifting the balance
Section snippets
HIV latency and persistence
Remoli and colleagues describe how modulation of transcription factor function can impact HIV gene expression and persistence. The authors describe the roles of NF-κB, IRFs, pTEF-b, and other factors in the life cycle of HIV-1 and how these factors influence virus integration and/or re-activation. They suggest that therapeutic targeting of these factors may provide valuable tools to purge the viral reservoir.
Evans et al. discuss how signaling through chemokine receptors alters T cell migration
Immunotherapies and vaccines
Pallinkkuth and colleagues describe the functional role of IL-21 production during HIV infection and provide new insights into the biology of IL-21 and its significance in enhancing T cell and B cell responses. The authors also discuss the potential therapeutic value of IL-21 and provide an update on numerous human clinical trials with IL-21.
Reuter et al. discuss how differentiation programs of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets are affected during HIV infection and propose that much could be learned
HIV pathogenesis
Van Grevenynghe et al. examine the impact of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons on the regulatory transcription factor Foxo3a. The authors demonstrate that the microenvironment at sites of HIV infection alters the cytokine and interferon networks, leading to disruption of the balance of Foxo3a phosphorylation, which in turn favors Foxo3a translocation to the nucleus and transcriptional activation of pro-apoptotic genes. Interestingly, this regulatory circuit does not occur in HIV-infected
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