The immunology of HIV-infected long-term non-progressors - a current view

Long-term non-progressors (LTNP) are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-inf ected individuals characterized by the absence of disease, low viral loads and stable or even increasing CD4(+) T cell counts for prolonged periods of time. In these subjects, an HIV-specific immune response which is either s tronger or directed against a wider array of viral epitopes than that seen in progressors, can be often detected. Here, we summarize the characteristi cs of HIV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in LTNP, and discuss how a highly effective T cell-mediated immune response against HIV might co ntribute to the establishment of this particular condition. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.