Is HIV infection a TNF receptor signalling-driven disease?

Recent studies indicate that TNF (tumor necrosis factor) receptor signalling is a key player in HIV infection. HIV proteins have been shown to target TNF receptor signalling, leading both to apoptosis of uninfected bystander T cells and to sustained viral replication in infected T cells and macrophages. This article proposes a model that highlights the role of HIV proteins in the modulation of TNF receptor signalling and could explain both immune suppression and the formation of viral reservoirs during HIV infection. Recent studies indicate that TNF (tumor necrosis factor) receptor signalling is a key player in HIV infection. HIV proteins have been shown to target TNF receptor signalling, leading both to apoptosis of uninfected bystander T cells and to sustained viral replication in infected T cells and macrophages. This article proposes a model that highlights the role of HIV proteins in the modulation of TNF receptor signalling and could explain both immune suppression and the formation of viral reservoirs during HIV infection.