Immunologic Mechanisms of HTLV-III Infection: Role of Autoimmunity in Aids

摘要

Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), the etiologic agentof the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is increasing at an epidemic rate. The severity of immunologic impairment of infected individuals spans a broad range. It is not currently known whether this heterogeneity reflects distinct outcomes of infection or whether infections progress to a common endpoint at different rates. Developing closer knowledge of immunological events that precede the onset of full-blown AIDS, as well as the interplay between HIV, immunity and the hematopoietic elements that give rise to the immune system will assist in our understanding of the pathophysiology of AIDS. Such knowledge is also guiding our attempts to develop better therapeutic approaches to AIDS. This proposal focuses on two primary areas reflecting the respective strengths of the two participating laboratories. From their inception these efforts have been highly collaborative. The first section, Interaction of HIV-1 and Bone Marrow, focuses on hematopoietic progenitor cells as possible reservoirs of virus. It is designed to explore the relationship between acquisition of lineage specific AIDS, Biotechnology, HTLV-III, Virology, RAD I.