Role of T Lymphocytes in HIV Neuropathogenesis

Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of CD4 + T lymphocytes leading to HIV assault and persistence in the central nervous system (CNS) and the elimination of HIV-infected CNS resident cells by CD8 + T lymphocytes. Recent Findings HIV targets the CNS early in infection, and HIV-infected individuals suffer from mild forms of neurological impairments even under antiretroviral therapy (ART). CD4 + T cells and monocytes mediate HIV entry into the brain and constitute a source for HIV persistence and neuronal damage. HIV-specific CD8 + T cells are also massively recruited in the CNS in acute infection to control viral replication but cannot eliminate HIV-infected cells within the CNS. Summary This review summarizes the involvement of CD4 + T cells in seeding and maintaining HIV infection in the brain and describes the involvement of CD8 + T cells in HIV neuropathogenesis, playing a role still to be deciphered, either beneficial in eliminating HIV-infected cells or deleterious in releasing inflammatory cytokines.