Work

Regulatory T Cells Prevent Liver Fibrosis During HIV Type 1 Infection in a Humanized Mouse Model

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease is associated with aberrant immune activation, and coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) exacerbates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the role of HIV-1 infection or host immune modulation in liver pathogenesis is not clearly defined. Here, we report that regulatory T (Treg) cells prevent liver immunopathogenesis during HIV-1 infection in a humanized mouse model. In the absence of Treg cells, HIV-1 infection induced liver fibrosis associated with hepatic stellate cell activation, hepatitis, and liver injury. Our findings provide new insight linking Treg cells and liver immunopathogenesis during HIV-1 infection.

Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit548

Authors: Jun-ichi Nunoya, Michael L. Washburn, Grigoriy I. Kovalev, Lishan Su

Institutions: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Liver physiology and pathology

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases