Transcript CD4+ T-Cell
Immune Pathogenesis
of HIV
Pathogenesis:
The way that something causes disease.
Immune pathogenesis is how the virus (HIV) interacts with the immune
system, what happens to the immune system and how.
Project Inform
Information,
Inspiration and
Advocacy for People
Living with
HIV/AIDS.
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HIV Disease
Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Disables the immune system in many complex
ways
HIV infects CD4+ (T4) and other immune cells
CD4+ cells are important immune cells
Key ‘mediator’ of immune responses’
Communicating through chemicals (called ‘cytokines’)
CD4+ cells mediate humoral (antibody) and cellular
immune responses
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CD4+ Cells:
Mediators of Immune Responses
Bone Marrow
B-cells
B
B
IL-4
IL-6
IL-10
B
B
IL-2
IL-12
INF-gamma
CD4
Th0
CD4
Th2
CD4
Th1
B
T
B
Humoral
Cellular
• B-Cells
• Antibodies
• Attacks “critters”
outside of Cell
• CD8+ cells, NK cells
• Cell to Cell killing
• Attacks “critters”
inside of cells
(e.g. free virus in blood)
(e.g. HIV infected cells)
T
T
T
T
Thymus
T-cells (e.g. CD4+ and CD8+)
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HIV Disease (continued)
Infected CD4+ cells may die or become dysfunctional
Humoral
Cellular
IL-4
IL-6
IL-10
IL-2
IL-12
INF-g
CD4+ T-Cell
Antigen Presenting Cell
(e.g. dendritic cell, macrophage)
HIV also infects other immune cells (e.g. antigen presenting cells)
Virus reproduces, infecting cells throughout the body
Immune system is gradually weakened
Body loses the ability to fight off infections
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HIV Disease (continued)
Co-factors may further weaken the immune system
Other sexually transmitted diseases and active infections
Active infection can increase HIV replication (HIV RNA increases 100 fold+)
Stress
Chemicals released destroys (involutes) thymus and weaken cell walls
Poor nutrition
Early signs of nutritional deficiencies
Deficiencies have similar symptoms as early signs of HIV disease
Lifestyle Factors (e.g. substance use, poor sleeping habits, etc.)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the
advanced stage of HIV disease
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1500
and up
CD4+ Cell Ranges
Normal
Range
Normal Range (500-1500+)
Predictive Range (below 500)
Changes in CD4+ counts become ‘meaningful’
Data supports intervention (200 to 350)
Gray Zone For Therapy (350+)
Guidelines suggest either Tx or no Tx
depending on HIV RNA & preference
Limited data on use of Tx in this range
500
Predictive
Range
Lowest Range (below 200)
Increased Risk for opportunistic infections
*Note: Trends are most important
*Note: Number does not equal function
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200
100
50
0
Lowest
Range
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Immunopathogenesis
of HIV Infection
Acute Syndrome
Development of Antibodies (seroconversion)
Early
Early
Intermediate
CD4+ > 500
CD4+ Count
Viral Activity
Intermediate
CD4+ 200-500
Advanced
CD4+ <200
High Burst of
Viral Activity
Infection with HIV
TIME
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Onset of Symptoms
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Immune Pathogenesis
Population-based information
provides insights into disease,
but each person experiences
HIV disease uniquely
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Early Infection/
Acute Syndrome
Development of Antibodies
(seroconversion)
Early
Burst of viral replication
Wide distribution of virus
“Seeding” of virus in lymph tissue
Some believe that this early stage is very
important and may determine the course of
disease in each individual
Control of virus is probably not only due to
immune response (cellular and humoral) but
also to ‘sequestration’ of virus in lymph tissue
High Burst of
Viral Activity
Infection with HIV
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Early Intermediate (CD4+ >500)
Clinical Latency?
Virus is ‘trapped’ in follicular dendritic cells
(FDC)
Dendritic cells act as a filter and central
clearing house for ‘antigen presentation’
Early
Intermediate
CD4+ > 500
Unfortunately, HIV collects in large number
and use FDC as a ‘central’ infection center
CD4+ cells, macrophages and monocytes
become infected when traveling through the
lymph nodes
Virus levels in lymph tissue are generally much
higher than what is seen in the blood/plasma
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Follicular Dendritic Cells
The “string mops” of the immune system, sweeping up ‘dirt’
that needs to be dealt with
“Critters” moving through lymph nodes and are ‘caught’ in
FDC network
CD4+ and other cells also move through lymph nodes to see
what kind of “critters” need to be dealt with
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Intermediate (CD4+ 200-500)
Structure and function of lymph nodes
begin to degrade due to high level of viral
activity
Beginning to lose follicular dendritic cells
Are “strings” falling off the mop?
Do FDCs become infected by HIV?
Do FDCs die for unknown reasons?
Intermediate
CD4+ 200-500
Clinically: Minor problems begin to worsen
(e.g. herpes, genital warts, thrush), blood
tests begin to show abnormalities.
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Lymph Node “Architecture”
Deteriorated lymph node:
FDC are scattered throughout
Cotton ball network is ripped apart
Decrease number of FDCs
Healthy lymph node:
Arranged like an egg
FDC form the yolk in an intricate ‘network’
Network is like a cotton ball
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Advanced Disease
Onset of Severe Symptoms
Complete ‘burn out’ of lymph node centers?
Some studies say no, even in advanced
disease. Much that is not wholly understood
Loss or dysfunction of many cell types
CD4+ and CD8+ cells, FDC, B cells,
macrophages, others
Virus levels similar in lymph node and
blood/plasma
Possible changes in virus (M-tropic to Ttropic, syncitia inducing)
Immune system more resilient than we
thought
Advanced
CD4+ <200
Onset of Symptoms
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Diversity of Immune Cells
Active vs. Resting cells
HIV is a retrovirus, and can only reproduce from
activated (e.g. actively replicating) cells
T-cell receptor diversity
V-beta repertoire (Variable region of the beta chain
of the T-cell receptor, immunologic alphabet)
Naïve vs. Memory
Co-receptor expression (e.g. CKR5, CXCR4)
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V-Beta Repertoire
Naïve and Memory Cells
Specificity of cell is dependent on the
composition of the T-cell Receptor (TCR)
The greater the ‘repertoire’ of TCRs, larger
the diversity of cells and function
P C M F H B
P C M F H B
“Naïve” cells are “rookies” in the immune
system army
“Memory” cells are “veterans”, which
respond more quickly and potently
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Co-receptors
2 ‘receptors’ are necessary
‘doorways’ for HIV to infect a cell
(CD4+ plus chemokine receptors)
Rantes, MIP1a, MIP1b
SDF1, MDC
Chemokines (chemicals produced
by immune cells)
block the doorways
Genetic alterations in receptors
may inhibit HIV from using them to
infect cells (CCR5 32bp-delta)
NSI virus uses R5; SI virus uses X4
© Project Inform 2005
CKR5
CXCR4
Others...
CD4 receptor
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Emerging Information
Plasma HIV RNA
CD4+ T cell count
Viral Divergence from “founder strain”
CD4+ cells in GALT
Viral Diversity
Immune activation (esp CD8+ cell activation)
CXCR4 or “X4” virus
Dual tropic – X4/R5 virus
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Acute Infection/Early Disease
(Emerging Information)
Within weeks of initial infection:
~75% depletion of “memory” CD4+ cell in gut
Destruction of gut-associated lymphoid tissue
(GALT) “architecture”
~50% loss of total body “memory” CD4+ cells
Initial infection typically with CCR5 or “R5”
type of virus
Virus closely resembles “founder strain”
Virus population not diverse
CD4+ T cell count
Plasma HIV RNA
CD4+ cells in GALT
Viral Divergence from “founder strain”
Immune activation (esp CD8+ cell activation)
Viral Diversity
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Early Intermediate and Intermediate
(Emerging Information)
Rising levels of immune activation
(not viral load) predicts rate of
CD4+ cell loss
Continued destruction of GALT
Increased divergence from initial
infecting strain
Increased viral diversity (believed
to be due to escape from cellular
immune responses)
Possible rise of dual tropic virus
Plasma HIV RNA
Viral Divergence from “founder strain”
CD4+ T cell count
Viral Diversity
CD4+ cells in GALT
CXCR4 or “X4” virus
Immune activation (esp CD8+ cell activation)
© Project Inform 2005
Dual tropic – X4/R5 virus
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Advanced Disease
(Emerging Information)
High levels of immune activation
increasingly believed to be
responsible for immune
deficiency/AIDS
Rise and disappearance of X4 virus
(re-emergence of R5 virus?)
Decrease in viral diversity (possibly
due to loss of CTL, no pressure on
virus to “escape”)
Plasma HIV RNA
Viral Divergence from “founder strain”
CD4+ T cell count
Viral Diversity
CD4+ cells in GALT
CXCR4 or “X4” virus
Immune activation (esp CD8+ cell activation)
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Dual tropic – X4/R5 virus
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Future Directions
in AIDS Research
Project Inform
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Immune Restoration: Rationale
AIDS is a disease of PRIMARY IMMUNE DEFICIENCY
caused by a virus (HIV)
Anti-HIV Therapies alone do not appear to fully
restore the immune system
Strategies that build on advances in anti-HIV therapy
and enhance immune recovery and restoration are
critical
Treatment for the major defect in HIV/AIDS, the
primary immune deficiency/dysfunction
© Project Inform 2005
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Immune Restoration:
Areas of Focus
Environment
Number
Protection
Function
Bone Marrow
Thymus
Spleen
Lymph tissue
School
Virus
Cell
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Addendum Materials:
Immune Pathogenesis
of HIV
Project Inform
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The Immune Response
Antigen Presenting cells - Cells of the immune system that bring intruders
to CD4+ T cells. (e.g. macrophages
and dendritic cells
)
CD4+ T-cells (also may be called “T4 helper cells”, “T4 cells”, or less
accurately “T-cells”. CD4+ T cells mediate the immune system response.
CD4+T-cell
CD8+ T-cells - Some CD8+ T cells, when ordered by CD4+ cells will specifically
CD8+ T-cell
B-cell
seek out and destroy infected cells.
B cells - During an immune response B-cells make antibodies.
Antibodies - Antibodies are made by B-cells, they attach to “critters”, marking
them for destruction by the immune system. Antibodies are specific to the “critter”
(bacteria, virus, or other harmful toxins).
© Project Inform 2005
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Immune Deficiency in HIV Disease
Decreased number of lymphocytes
Initial decrease then stabilization of CD4+ cell number
Increase in activated CD4+
Depletion of CD4+ naïve cells
Initial increase in CD8+ cell number
Increase in activated CD8+ cells (CD8+CD38+/DR+)
Despite increase CD8+ cell number, poor anti-HIV responses
Decrease in CD8+ naïve cell parallels loss in CD4+
Impairment of Cell Function
Decreased ability to produce cytokines, respond to antigens,
loss of TCR diversity & APC function, loss of B-cell function
Increased risk of opportunistic infection
Impairment of Immune Environment
Damage to immune tissues (LN architecture, FDC Network),
status of thymus
Evidence of immune activation
Increased CD38+/DR+ expression, increased TNF-alpha
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