Abstract

MARQUES, Maria Alcide Tavares; ALVES, Vera; DUQUE, Victor  and  BOTELHO, M Filomena. Deep lung: Cellular reaction to HIV. Rev Port Pneumol [online]. 2007, vol.13, n.2, pp.175-212. ISSN 0873-2159.

The course of HIV infection is accompanied by a wide individual variability. The complex and large interplay between host and viral factors is crucial in the disease’s evolution. The lung has been recognised from the beginning of the disease as one of the main targets of infectious and non-infectious complications of AIDS. In this setting both anatomic and immunologic particularities of this organ play an important role. The hallmark of HIV is progressive immune dysfunction. Despite the intensive research into the pathogenesis, several questions remain to be answered on the dynamic effects of HIV on pulmonary cells. Previous studies in which we have participated showed the early presence of lymphocytic alveolitis from the asymptomatic phase of infection. Since then, many collected data has brought new insights into the immune and biochemical mechanisms involving HIV cell entry, as well as target cells, cytokines and other cellular mediators. In this context, the discovery that specific chemokine receptors could act as co-receptors for HIV, allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying viral cellular entry and tropism. On this issue several authors have reported that in addition to the CD4 molecule, most strains of HIV use the chemokine receptor CCR5 for viral attachment and entry into the host cells. This receptor seems to be very important in disease transmission, whereas CXCR4 receptor tends to be used by the viral strains that emerge later in the disease in addition to or instead of the CCR5.

Keywords : Bronchoalveolar lavage; AIDS; cellularity; CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors.

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