Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
follicular dentritic cells, HIV, Quasi-species, HAART, FDC
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
HIV infects millions of people worldwide; in the year 2000 alone, more than 3 million people died from AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) as a result of HIV infection1. In countries, such as the United States, where effective treatment is affordable, highly active antiretroiviral therapy (HAART) can reduce viral blood loads to currently undetectable levels2. Unfortunately, the side effects of HAART can be severe, resulting in noncompliance, and upon its termination, HIV levels rapidly rebound. Several viral reservoirs within the body have been identified, including the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) network3. FDCs trap HIV antibody complexes for long periods of time in an infectious form and allow HIV infection to persist even in the presence of high concentration of neutralizing antibody4. I hypothesized that FDCs trap multiple HIV quasi-species over the course of infection (including drug-resistant strains), acting as a repository for subsequent re-ignition of HIV infection upon HAART cessation.
Recommended Citation
McNaughton, Candace and Burton, Dr. Gregory
(2014)
"Follicular Dentritic Cells and Retention of HIV Quasi-Species,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 824.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/824