How does HTLV-I persist despite a strong cell-mediated immune response?

Becca Asquith, Charles R M Bangham

Trends in immunology 2008 Jan

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Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a pathogenic retrovirus that infects human CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Despite its presence in T cells, HTLV-1 causes little overt immunosuppression. This host-virus relationship has therefore been exploited as an excellent model system for studying the dynamic interaction between a persistent retrovirus and the normal human immune system. We use a combination of mathematical and experimental techniques to identify key factors on both sides of the in vivo host-virus interaction that significantly determine HTLV-I proviral load and disease risk. We develop a model to describe how these factors interact to enable viral persistence.

Citation

Becca Asquith, Charles R M Bangham. How does HTLV-I persist despite a strong cell-mediated immune response? Trends in immunology. 2008 Jan;29(1):4-11