Control of HIV Entry and Transcription, as a Possible Mechanism of the Antiviral Effects of T Lymphocytes in HIV Infection

Abstract

For decades it has generally been assumed that T cell-mediated antiviral immunity acts through lysis of infected cells by specific T lymphocytes recognizing viral epitopes in the context of major histocompatibility antigens class I. Indeed, MHC class I restricted-, CD8 T cells are found in infected animals and do lyse infected cells in vitro in a highly specific manner. The MHC-dependence of this phenomenon was a remarkable discovery by Rolf Zinkernagel and Peter Dogherty (Nature, 1974), who were awarded a Nobel prize in 1996 precisely for this important finding. The “CTL assay” remains the best tool of research to asses the fine specificity and MHC restriction of antiviral CD8 T lymphocytes. The in vivo relevance of the CTL assay as a host defence mechanism, however, is not yet fully ascertained in most cases of viral infection or immunization.