MACROPHAGE-TROPIC HIV - CRITICAL FOR AIDS PATHOGENESIS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs as a number of genetic and b iological variants. Of these, transmission of macrophage-tropic HIV va riants appears to be favored although most infected individuals also h arbor T-cell-tropic cytopathic viruses and macrophage-tropic non-cytop athic viruses. Recent evidence regarding CD4(+) T-cell depletion in vi vo suggests that macrophage-tropic HIV isolates may be necessary and s ufficient for the development of AIDS. This review summarizes the rece nt findings on macrophage-tropic viruses, and compares matched sets of experiments in HIV-infected humanized severe combined immunodeficienc y (SCID) mice with a computer simulation of the lymph node microenviro nment. This may help to understand why HIV infection of macrophages ma y have profound effects on the immune system.