Stem cells and immune reconstitution in AIDS

✍ Scribed by David T Scadden

• Book ID: 104322989
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 87 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0268-960X
• DOI: 10.1016/s0268-960x(03)00021-3

✦ Synopsis

The hematopoietic system generally has reserve sufficient to tolerate significant insult and regenerative capacity to overcome most damage due to infectious agents. However, HIV infection results in a progressive decline in hematopoietic function and even in the context of potent, anti-retroviral therapy is able to only incompletely reconstitute immune function. The ability of the immune system to respond to HIV itself remains compromised, a defect that leaves infected individuals with a lifelong dependence on medications. The capability of stem cells and the thymus to restore function and their limitations in the context of HIV infection are discussed in this review.