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Type I Interferon: Understanding Its Role in HIV Pathogenesis and Therapy

  • HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (AL Landay, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Despite over 30 years of research, the contribution of type I interferons (IFN-Is) to both the control of HIV replication and initiation of immunologic damage remains debated. In acute infection, IFN-Is, likely from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), activate NK cells and upregulate restriction factors targeting virtually the entire HIV life cycle. In chronic infection, IFN-Is may also contribute to CD4 T cell loss and immune exhaustion. pDCs subsequently infiltrate lymphoid and mucosal tissues, and their circulating populations wane in chronic infection; IFN-I may be produced by other cells. Data from nonhuman primates indicate prompt IFN-I signaling is critical in acute infection. Whereas some studies showed IFN-I administration without combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is beneficial, others suggest that stimulating or blocking IFN-I signaling in chronic ART-suppressed HIV infection has had positive results. Here, we describe the history of HIV and IFN-I, IFN-I’s sources, IFN-I’s effects on HIV control and host defense, and recent interventional studies in SIV and HIV infection.

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Steven E. Bosinger and Netanya S. Utay declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory Vaccine Center Bldg. 3028, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Steven E. Bosinger

  2. Non-Human Primate Genomics Core, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Steven E. Bosinger

  3. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd Rte 0435, Galveston, TX, 77555-0435, USA

    Netanya S. Utay

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  1. Steven E. Bosinger
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  2. Netanya S. Utay
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

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Bosinger, S.E., Utay, N.S. Type I Interferon: Understanding Its Role in HIV Pathogenesis and Therapy. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 12, 41–53 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-014-0244-6

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