Focus on The immunology of HIV

A formidable challenge - p545

doi:10.1038/ni.3179

Better understanding of HIV biology, virus-host interactions and mechanisms of an efficient immune response advance efforts for effective vaccines and immunotherapies.

Full Text - A formidable challenge | PDF (183 KB) - A formidable challenge

Focus on The immunology of HIV

Intrinsic host restrictions to HIV-1 and mechanisms of viral escape - pp546 - 553

Viviana Simon, Nicolin Bloch & Nathaniel R Landau

doi:10.1038/ni.3156

HIV devotes a large portion of its coding capacity to counteracting the function of mammalian antiviral proteins. Landau and colleagues discuss the biology of mammalian restriction factors and the viral accessory proteins that counteract them.

Abstract - Intrinsic host restrictions to HIV-1 and mechanisms of viral escape | Full Text - Intrinsic host restrictions to HIV-1 and mechanisms of viral escape | PDF (3,584 KB) - Intrinsic host restrictions to HIV-1 and mechanisms of viral escape

Focus on The immunology of HIV

Innate immunity against HIV-1 infection - pp554 - 562

Marcus Altfeld & Michael Gale Jr

doi:10.1038/ni.3157

Innate effector mechanisms contribute to the control of viremia and modulate the quality of the adaptive immune response to HIV-1. Altfeld and Gale discuss the concerted actions of PRR signaling, innate immune cells and innate-adaptive crosstalk that direct the outcome of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract - Innate immunity against HIV-1 infection | Full Text - Innate immunity against HIV-1 infection | PDF (1,222 KB) - Innate immunity against HIV-1 infection

Focus on The immunology of HIV

Success and failure of the cellular immune response against HIV-1 - pp563 - 570

Stephen A Migueles & Mark Connors

doi:10.1038/ni.3161

Understanding the success and failure of the HIV-specific cellular immune response has implications for immunotherapies and vaccines for HIV-1. Migueles and Connors discuss the mechanisms that are most likely responsible for durable and potent immunologic control of HIV-1 by the cellular immune response.

Abstract - Success and failure of the cellular immune response against HIV-1 | Full Text - Success and failure of the cellular immune response against HIV-1 | PDF (1,270 KB) - Success and failure of the cellular immune response against HIV-1

Focus on The immunology of HIV

Antibody responses to envelope glycoproteins in HIV-1 infection - pp571 - 576

Dennis R Burton & John R Mascola

doi:10.1038/ni.3158

Antibody responses to the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins can be classified into three groups. Burton and Mascola discuss how recent insight into the structure and immunology of non-neutralizing, strain-specific and broadly neutralizing antibodies guide HIV-1 vaccine design and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract - Antibody responses to envelope glycoproteins in HIV-1 infection | Full Text - Antibody responses to envelope glycoproteins in HIV-1 infection | PDF (893 KB) - Antibody responses to envelope glycoproteins in HIV-1 infection

Focus on The immunology of HIV

The impact of host genetic variation on infection with HIV-1 - pp577 - 583

Paul J McLaren & Mary Carrington

doi:10.1038/ni.3147

An effect of host genetic variation on susceptibility to HIV-1 was identified early in the pandemic. McLaren and Carrington discuss the extent to which additional polymorphisms influence HIV-1 disease progression and how analysis of data sets may discover novel gene variants that affect the outcome of HIV-1.

Abstract - The impact of host genetic variation on infection with HIV-1 | Full Text - The impact of host genetic variation on infection with HIV-1 | PDF (590 KB) - The impact of host genetic variation on infection with HIV-1

Focus on The immunology of HIV

HIV reservoirs as obstacles and opportunities for an HIV cure - pp584 - 589

Tae-Wook Chun, Susan Moir & Anthony S Fauci

doi:10.1038/ni.3152

The persistence of HIV reservoirs remains a barrier to sustained virologic remission in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy is discontinued. Fauci and colleagues discuss the therapeutic strategies aimed at eliminating or controlling the virus in the absence of ART.

Abstract - HIV reservoirs as obstacles and opportunities for an HIV cure | Full Text - HIV reservoirs as obstacles and opportunities for an HIV cure | PDF (520 KB) - HIV reservoirs as obstacles and opportunities for an HIV cure